California State University-Northridge vs. SHSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Northridge in Northridge, CA with Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Northridge is larger than SHSU based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 21,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Northridge is located in Northridge, CA (Large City setting); Sam Houston State University is in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Northridge 25:1; Sam Houston State University 19:1.

California State University-Northridge vs. SHSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or SHSU? 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 SHSU ($7,536 vs. $14,737).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Sam Houston State University are 15.1% lower than at California State University Northridge ($11,720 vs. $13,804).
• Sam Houston State University is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $1,770 more per year; $9,228.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at California State University-Northridge than at Sam Houston State University (about $990 more per year; $20,058.00 vs. $19,068.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at Sam Houston State University (83% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 20.2% larger than aid received by Sam Houston State University students ($12,825 vs. $10,669).

California State University-Northridge vs. SHSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Sam Houston State University (1030) is 20 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming SHSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-Northridge).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 900/1110; Sam Houston State University 930/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22; Sam Houston State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; SHSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; SHSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at SHSU (3.25).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than SHSU (90.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 21.1% at SHSU.

California State University-Northridge vs. SHSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Sam Houston State University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Northridge's (46%).
• Graduates from Sam Houston State University earn a median of about $300 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $7,304 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($14,196 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($146 vs. $222).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SHSU students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 57%)

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.