Overview of Cal State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge, is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 43%. Situated in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, Cal State Northridge is the largest institution (by enrollment) in the California State University System. The institution is made up of nine colleges that offer a total of 68 bachelor’s and 58 master’s degree programs. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 39,569 (34,900 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 46 percent male/54 percent female
• 84 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $6,972 (in-state); $17,622 (out-of-state)
• Books: $2,058
• Room and Board: $10,402
• Other Expenses: $3,282
• Total Cost: $22,714 (in-state); $33,364 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 87 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 83 percent
  • Loans: 32 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,097
  • Loans: $6,308

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 81 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 6 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 14 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 54 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Beach Volleyball
• The CSUN Matadors play in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference

Overview of Cal State University, Northridge Admissions

Cal State Northridge, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Cal State Northridge had an acceptance rate of 43%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 43 students gained admission, making CSUN’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal State Northridge requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 94% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Northridge’s admitted students scored in the bottom 29% on the SAT., 50% of students admitted to Cal State Northridge scored between 470 and 570 for the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 470, and 25% scored over 570. 50% of students who gained admission scored 460 and 560 in the math section, while 25% scored below 460, and 25% scored over 560. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1130 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal State Northridge.

ACT Requirements and Scores

CSUN requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 22% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Northridge’s admitted students scored in the bottom 27% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to CSUN received a cumulative ACT score between 16 and 22, while 25% scored over 22, and 25% scored below 16.

GPA

The average high school GPA of Cal State Northridge’s freshmen class was 3.18 in 2019. This data suggests that successful applicants to Cal State Northridge have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal State Northridge, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal State Northridge is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Kean University, California State University Los Angeles, University of Texas at Brownsville, State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, Alabama State University, College of St. Elizabeth, Albertus Magnus College

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal State Northridge, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Radford University, University of Texas at El Paso, University of California, Merced, California State University Sacramento, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University Fresno

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal State Northridge. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

San Jose State University, California State University Long Beach, University of Texas at San Antonio, Washington State University, East Carolina University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

Applying to Cal State Northridge 

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/apply-first-time-freshman

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/apply-graduate-student

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply