California State University-Northridge vs. FIDM LA

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. FIDM LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or FIDM LA? 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 FIDM LA ($7,536 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 37.5% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($13,804 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 369.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $27,542 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.5% higher at FIDM LA than at California State University Northridge (about $14,942 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (83% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 7.9% larger than aid received by California State University Northridge students ($13,834 vs. $12,825).

California State University-Northridge vs. FIDM LA Admissions comparison

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

• 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 - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-Northridge vs. FIDM LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Northridge earn a median of about $5,900 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $1,196 lower median loan debt than California State University-Northridge graduates ($13,000 vs. $14,196).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Northridge graduates ($134 vs. $146).
• More FIDM LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.