California State University-Northridge vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Union College is in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Pacific Union College 12:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or PUC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Northridge than PUC ($7,536 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 28.9% lower than at California State University Northridge ($9,816 vs. $13,804).
• Pacific Union College is 398.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $29,715 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85.3% higher at PUC than at California State University Northridge (about $17,115 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University Northridge (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 107.6% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($26,629 vs. $12,825).

California State University-Northridge vs. PUC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Northridge or PUC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between PUC and California State University-Northridge.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is 50 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming PUC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 900/1110; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at PUC (3.24).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 14% at PUC.

California State University-Northridge vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge and PUC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Northridge's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $15,804 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($14,196 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($146 vs. $310).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.