California State University-Northridge vs California State University-Sacramento
California State University-Northridge is a public university in Northridge, CA. California State University-Sacramento is a public university in Sacramento, CA. California State University-Northridge admits about 93% of applicants and California State University-Sacramento about 94%, making California State University-Northridge the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $7,021 a year at California State University-Northridge after aid, and about $9,338 at California State University-Sacramento. About 57% of students graduate at California State University-Northridge, compared with 56% at California State University-Sacramento. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-Sacramento alumni earn a median of about $64,876, against $59,115 for California State University-Northridge.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Northridge, CA
Sacramento, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
32,691
28,350
Acceptance rate
93%
94%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.33 avg
3.14–3.64
SAT (middle 50%)
900–1110
930–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
16–22
17–23
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$7,021
$9,338
Full cost / yr
$20,485
$22,945
In-state tuition
$7,458
$8,018
Out-of-state tuition
$20,058
$20,618
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,905
$6,501
$30k - $48k
$5,450
$7,001
$48k - $75k
$7,744
$9,212
$75k - $110k
$11,262
$11,814
Over $110k
$18,040
$18,861
Outcomes
Graduation rate
57%
56%
Freshman retention
73%
82%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,372
$51,074
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,115
$64,876
Median debt at graduation
$13,872
$15,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
56%
49%
First-generation students
54%
49%
International students
3%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Dec 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
Dec 15
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California State University-Northridge or California State University-Sacramento harder to get into?
- California State University-Northridge is harder to get into. It admits about 93% of applicants, compared with 94% at California State University-Sacramento. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California State University-Northridge or California State University-Sacramento?
- California State University-Northridge is cheaper on average. Students pay about $7,021 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $9,338 at California State University-Sacramento. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Northridge and California State University-Sacramento?
- Before aid, California State University-Northridge costs about $20,485 a year and California State University-Sacramento about $22,945. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Northridge or California State University-Sacramento?
- California State University-Northridge. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,905 there, against about $6,501 at California State University-Sacramento. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California State University-Northridge or California State University-Sacramento?
- California State University-Northridge is the larger of the two, with about 32,691 undergraduates against 28,350 at California State University-Sacramento.
- Does California State University-Northridge or California State University-Sacramento have a better graduation rate?
- California State University-Northridge has the higher graduation rate, at about 57% against 56% at California State University-Sacramento.
- Do graduates of California State University-Northridge or California State University-Sacramento earn more?
- California State University-Sacramento alumni earn more on average: a median of about $64,876 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,115 for California State University-Northridge. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Northridge and California State University-Sacramento require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Northridge is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California State University-Sacramento is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Northridge and California State University-Sacramento look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 900–1110 at California State University-Northridge and 930–1130 at California State University-Sacramento. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Northridge vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Northridge vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Northridge vs University of California-BerkeleyCalifornia State University-Sacramento vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Sacramento vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Sacramento vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school