CSU vs. California State University-Northridge

California State University Chico and California State University Northridge side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
California State University Northridge

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (92.7% admitted vs 93.4%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1010.
  • Cheaper after aid: California State University-Northridge. Average net price is $7,536 vs $14,630 at CSU.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs California State University-Northridge 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs California State University-Northridge $47,500 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico California State University Northridge
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU92.7%
California State University-Northridge93.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
California State University-Northridge900-1110
Average net price
California State University-Northridge $7,094 less
CSU$14,630
California State University-Northridge$7,536
In-state tuition
California State University-Northridge $1,014 less
CSU$8,472
California State University-Northridge$7,458
Out-of-state tuition
California State University-Northridge $1,014 less
CSU$21,072
California State University-Northridge$20,058
Graduation rate
CSU +13 pts
CSU59%
California State University-Northridge46%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$4,900
CSU$52,400
California State University-Northridge$47,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at CSU Check my chances at California State University-Northridge
  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • California State University-Northridge 33,005
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • California State University-Northridge 30,842
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • California State University-Northridge 93.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • California State University-Northridge 18%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • California State University-Northridge 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • California State University-Northridge 19
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • California State University-Northridge 3.38
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • California State University-Northridge B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • California State University-Northridge Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • California State University-Northridge
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • California State University-Northridge 900-1110
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • California State University-Northridge 16-22
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • California State University-Northridge Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • California State University-Northridge $7,458
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • California State University-Northridge $20,058
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • California State University-Northridge $13,804
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • California State University-Northridge $7,536
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • California State University-Northridge $12,825
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • California State University-Northridge 83%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • California State University-Northridge 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • California State University-Northridge $47,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • California State University-Northridge 59%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • California State University-Northridge $14,196
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • California State University-Northridge $146
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • California State University-Northridge 25:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • California State University-Northridge
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • California State University-Northridge Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • California State University-Northridge 38,313
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • California State University-Northridge Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • California State University-Northridge #895

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Northridge is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 16.3% lower than at California State University Chico ($13,804 vs. $16,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at CSU than at California State University Northridge (about $1,014 more per year; $21,072 vs. $20,058).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at California State University Chico (83% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 11.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,825 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at CSU than at California State University-Northridge (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and California State University-Northridge.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at California State University-Northridge average a 3.38 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $2,804 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($14,196 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($146 vs. $175).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 59%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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