California State University-Northridge vs University of California-San Diego
California State University-Northridge is a public university in Northridge, CA, and University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. University of California-San Diego is the more selective of the two, admitting about 27% 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 $12,470 at University of California-San Diego. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 57% at California State University-Northridge. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $59,115 for California State University-Northridge.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Northridge, CA
La Jolla, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
32,691
34,948
Acceptance rate
93%
27%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.33 avg
3.46–4
SAT (middle 50%)
900–1110
1270–1480
ACT (middle 50%)
16–22
28–34
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$7,021
$12,470
Full cost / yr
$20,485
$38,701
In-state tuition
$7,458
$16,758
Out-of-state tuition
$20,058
$50,958
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$4,905
$7,525
$30k - $48k
$5,450
$8,155
$48k - $75k
$7,744
$9,942
$75k - $110k
$11,262
$15,199
Over $110k
$18,040
$28,785
Outcomes
Graduation rate
57%
87%
Freshman retention
73%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,372
$65,669
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,115
$84,943
Median debt at graduation
$13,872
$15,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
56%
34%
First-generation students
54%
40%
International students
3%
11%
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-San Diego harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% 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-San Diego?
- California State University-Northridge is cheaper on average. Students pay about $7,021 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,470 at University of California-San Diego. 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-San Diego?
- Before aid, California State University-Northridge costs about $20,485 a year and University of California-San Diego about $38,701. 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-San Diego?
- California State University-Northridge. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $4,905 there, against about $7,525 at University of California-San Diego. 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-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 32,691 at California State University-Northridge.
- Does California State University-Northridge or University of California-San Diego have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 57% at California State University-Northridge.
- Do graduates of California State University-Northridge or University of California-San Diego earn more?
- University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 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-San Diego 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-San Diego 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-San Diego look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 900–1110 at California State University-Northridge and 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego. 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-BerkeleyUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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