California State University-Northridge vs University of California-Los Angeles
California State University-Northridge is a public university in Northridge, CA, and University of California-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA. University of California-Los Angeles is the more selective of the two, admitting about 9% of applicants against 93% at California State University-Northridge. California State University-Northridge is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $7,021 a year against $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Los Angeles, compared with 57% at California State University-Northridge. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Los Angeles alumni earn a median of about $82,511, against $59,115 for California State University-Northridge.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Northridge, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
32,691
33,475
Acceptance rate
93%
9%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.33 avg
3.51–4
SAT (middle 50%)
900–1110
1300–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
16–22
29–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$7,021
$12,548
Full cost / yr
$20,485
$38,614
In-state tuition
$7,458
$15,203
Out-of-state tuition
$20,058
$49,403
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,905
$5,579
$30k - $48k
$5,450
$6,682
$48k - $75k
$7,744
$9,811
$75k - $110k
$11,262
$14,142
Over $110k
$18,040
$29,682
Outcomes
Graduation rate
57%
93%
Freshman retention
73%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,372
$59,063
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,115
$82,511
Median debt at graduation
$13,872
$14,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
56%
28%
First-generation students
54%
38%
International students
3%
8%
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-Los Angeles harder to get into?
- University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into. It admits about 9% 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-Los Angeles?
- California State University-Northridge is cheaper on average. Students pay about $7,021 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles?
- Before aid, California State University-Northridge costs about $20,485 a year and University of California-Los Angeles about $38,614. 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-Los Angeles?
- California State University-Northridge. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,905 there, against about $5,579 at University of California-Los Angeles. 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-Los Angeles?
- University of California-Los Angeles is the larger of the two, with about 33,475 undergraduates against 32,691 at California State University-Northridge.
- Does California State University-Northridge or University of California-Los Angeles have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Los Angeles 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-Los Angeles earn more?
- University of California-Los Angeles alumni earn more on average: a median of about $82,511 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-Los Angeles 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-Los Angeles 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-Los Angeles look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 900–1110 at California State University-Northridge and 1300–1530 at University of California-Los Angeles. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Northridge vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Northridge vs University of California-BerkeleyCalifornia State University-Northridge vs University of California-San DiegoUniversity of California-Los Angeles vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Los Angeles vs University of California-BerkeleyUniversity of California-Los Angeles vs University of California-San Diego
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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