California State University-Northridge vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or WNC? 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 WNC ($7,536 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 22.4% lower than at Western Nevada College ($13,804 vs. $17,788).
• California State University Northridge is 78.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $3,290 more per year; $7,458.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56.3% higher at California State University-Northridge than at Western Nevada College (about $7,224 more per year; $20,058.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at California State University Northridge (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 118.3% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($12,825 vs. $5,874).

California State University-Northridge vs. WNC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Northridge or WNC? 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 WNC and California State University-Northridge.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; WNC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-Northridge vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Northridge and WNC? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Northridge earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $2,880 lower median loan debt than California State University-Northridge graduates ($11,316 vs. $14,196).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Northridge graduates ($117 vs. $146).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 30%)

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.