California State University-Northridge vs University of California-Berkeley
California State University-Northridge is a public university in Northridge, CA. University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. University of California-Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants and California State University-Northridge about 93%, making University of California-Berkeley 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 $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Berkeley, compared with 57% at California State University-Northridge. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Berkeley alumni earn a median of about $92,446, against $59,115 for California State University-Northridge.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Northridge, CA
Berkeley, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
32,691
33,068
Acceptance rate
93%
11%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.33 avg
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
900–1110
1310–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
16–22
30–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$7,021
$13,481
Full cost / yr
$20,485
$45,619
In-state tuition
$7,458
$16,347
Out-of-state tuition
$20,058
$50,547
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,905
$5,311
$30k - $48k
$5,450
$6,501
$48k - $75k
$7,744
$9,693
$75k - $110k
$11,262
$15,074
Over $110k
$18,040
$34,529
Outcomes
Graduation rate
57%
93%
Freshman retention
73%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,372
$74,919
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,115
$92,446
Median debt at graduation
$13,872
$13,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
56%
29%
First-generation students
54%
35%
International students
3%
10%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
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 University of California-Berkeley harder to get into?
- University of California-Berkeley is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 93% at California State University-Northridge. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- California State University-Northridge is cheaper on average. Students pay about $7,021 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- Before aid, California State University-Northridge costs about $20,485 a year and University of California-Berkeley about $45,619. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- California State University-Northridge. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,905 there, against about $5,311 at University of California-Berkeley. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- University of California-Berkeley is the larger of the two, with about 33,068 undergraduates against 32,691 at California State University-Northridge.
- Does California State University-Northridge or University of California-Berkeley have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 57% at California State University-Northridge.
- Do graduates of California State University-Northridge or University of California-Berkeley earn more?
- University of California-Berkeley alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,446 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 University of California-Berkeley require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Northridge is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Berkeley is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Northridge and University of California-Berkeley look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 900–1110 at California State University-Northridge and 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley. 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-San DiegoUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of California-San Diego
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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