California State University-Northridge vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (38,313 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

California State University-Northridge vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Northridge or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State ($7,536 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 34.2% lower than at San Jose State University ($13,804 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $952 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Northridge (about $952 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Northridge than at San Jose State University (83% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 3.8% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($12,825 vs. $12,353).

California State University-Northridge vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 120 points higher than at California State University-Northridge (1010).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Northridge 16/22; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Northridge - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-Northridge students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• California State University-Northridge has a higher acceptance rate (93.4%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18% at California State University-Northridge vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

California State University-Northridge vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at California State University-Northridge is the same as at San Jose State University (46% vs. 46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than California State University-Northridge graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $804 lower median loan debt than San Jose State 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 San Jose State graduates ($146 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Northridge students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.