California State University-Northridge vs. Sacramento State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than Sacramento State based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 31,943 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); California State University Sacramento is in Sacramento, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Sacramento is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; California State University Sacramento 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 28% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($13,804 vs. $19,174).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Sacramento State than at California State University Northridge (about $560 more per year; $20,618 vs. $20,058).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at California State University Sacramento (83% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 0.5% larger than aid received by California State University Sacramento students ($12,825 vs. $12,767).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Sacramento State than at California State University-Northridge (20 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Northridge and Sacramento State.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Sacramento State average a 3.42 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 15.3% at Sacramento State.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $1,554 lower median loan debt than Sacramento State graduates ($14,196 vs. $15,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sacramento State graduates ($146 vs. $162).
• More Sacramento State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation (64% vs. 59%).

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