California State University-Northridge: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Northridge, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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California State University-Northridge 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.
California State University-Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge?
California State University-Northridge 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 does California State University-Northridge weight in admissions?
California State University-Northridge reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores California State University-Northridge typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does California State University-Northridge 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 — 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 |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Northridge
| Regular deadline | Nov. 30 |
| Notification date | March 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from California State University-Northridge?
These predict outcomes at California State University-Northridge better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State University-Northridge
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Northridge, 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, California State University-Northridge 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 | — |
| Sociology | 417 | $53,371 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 405 | — |
| Marketing | 389 | $69,084 |
Is California State University-Northridge safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge
Common questions parents ask about California State University-Northridge
What GPA do I need for California State University-Northridge?
California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge typically admit?
California State University-Northridge does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does California State University-Northridge actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge realistic for my child?
California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge?
California State University-Northridge accepts about 92% of applicants out of roughly 33,350 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is California State University-Northridge test-optional?
Yes. California State University-Northridge is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Northridge?
About 57% of students at California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge look for in applicants?
California State University-Northridge rates course rigor 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 California State University-Northridge a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-Northridge is a public institution located in Northridge, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-Northridge?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Northridge 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 California State University-Northridge safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-Northridge 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