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 table 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.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno or California State University-Northridge? 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 California State University-Fresno ($7,536 vs. $7,834).
• 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).
• California State University Northridge is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $108 more per year; $7,458.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.5% higher at California State University-Northridge than at California State University Fresno (about $108 more per year; $20,058.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• 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).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University Northridge (1010) is 10 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming California State University-Northridge students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (19 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Fresno 890/1100; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Fresno 16/21; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than California State University-Northridge (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

California State University-Fresno vs. California State University-Northridge Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and California State University-Northridge? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Northridge earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.