CSUN: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-Northridge · Northridge, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2024-2025
- Test-blind
- 33,350
- Applicants
- 30,842
- Admitted92%
- 5,543
- Enrolled
- 18%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access92% admittedRanked #17 (tie) in Regional Universities West; Business Programs #199 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #38 (tie), Computer Science #235 (tie), Nursing #243 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by California State University-Northridge (see the source), read on 2026-06-14.
Is CSUN a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places CSUN against it in about a minute. No account needed.
CSUN is a public university in Northridge, California that admits about 92% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $7,021 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 57% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, CSUN admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 92%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $7,021 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for CSUN?
CSUN has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare CSUN with the other schools on your list
Open CSUN in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
What does CSUN weight in admissions?
CSUN reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
Very Important
3- Rigor of secondary school record
- Academic GPA
- Standardized test scores
Considered
2- Geographical residence
- State residency
Not Considered
11- Class rank
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
SAT and ACT scores CSUN typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: CSUN does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU system does not use SAT/ACT for admission; scores may only be used for math/English placement.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on CSUN's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does CSUN actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,458 for in-state students and $20,058 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,804 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $7,021 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 56% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,084 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,684 |
| Room and board | $21,350 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $7,021 |
| Average need-based grant | $12,854 |
| Average merit award, no financial need3,262 first-year students received one | $2,085 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 33% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $16,813 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for CSUN
| Regular deadline | Nov. 30 |
| Notification date | March 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from CSUN?
These predict outcomes at CSUN better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at CSUN
The most popular undergraduate programs at CSUN, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. Across all programs, CSUN confers roughly 4,299 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $52,901 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 930 | $52,901 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 805 | $66,806 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 469 | $46,521 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 442 | $56,754 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 442 | n/a |
| Sociology | 417 | $53,371 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 405 | n/a |
| Marketing | 389 | $69,084 |
Is CSUN safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), CSUN disclosed 130 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 8 violent offenses and 24 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo31% acceptance
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona75% acceptance
- California State University-Los Angeles91% acceptance
- California State University-Fresno95% acceptance
- California State University-Sacramento94% acceptance
- Claremont McKenna College10% acceptance
- Harvey Mudd College13% acceptance
- Pomona College7% acceptance
Next steps for CSUN
Common questions parents ask about CSUN
What GPA do I need for CSUN?
CSUN has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does CSUN typically admit?
CSUN is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does CSUN actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at CSUN after grants and scholarships is $7,021 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,458 and $20,058 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is CSUN realistic for my child?
CSUN admits 92% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $7,021 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at CSUN?
CSUN accepts about 92% of applicants out of roughly 33,350 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is CSUN test-optional?
CSUN is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at CSUN?
About 57% of students at CSUN graduate within six years, and 28% finish in four years. 73% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does CSUN look for in applicants?
CSUN rates course rigor, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is CSUN a public or private school, and where is it located?
CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California.
What are the most popular majors at CSUN?
The largest undergraduate majors at CSUN by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. The school awards about 4,299 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is CSUN safe? What is its campus crime rate?
CSUN reported 130 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Northridge, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers