California State University-Fresno vs. California State University-Northridge

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, 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 California State University-Fresno based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 24,427 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); California State University Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Fresno 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 Fresno 22:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 13.4% lower than at California State University Northridge ($11,960 vs. $13,804).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at California State University-Northridge than at California State University Fresno (about $108 more per year; $20,058 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University Northridge (85% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 4% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($12,825 vs. $12,326).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State University-Northridge than at California State University-Fresno (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and California State University-Northridge.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno 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, 0.26 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $804 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($14,196 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($146 vs. $155).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 59%).

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