California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California · Public · 93.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 80/100 · Strong Value
California State University-Northridge
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,458/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,058/yr |
| Average net price | $7,021/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $28,084 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,115 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $37,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,872 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $147 |
| Estimated payback period | 7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 57.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 32,691 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,905 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,450 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,744 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,262 |
| $110,001+ | $18,040 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-Northridge with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,760 | B+ |
| Psychology | $49,792 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,169 | B+ |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $49,359 | C |
| Sociology | $54,500 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,663 | C+ |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $42,904 | C |
| Biology | $59,100 | C+ |
| Public Health | $55,989 | B |
| Computer Science | $101,348 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-Northridge is $7,458/year ($20,058/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $7,021/year, or roughly $28,084 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $4,905/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,040/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $13,872 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $147 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $59,115 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.37 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.8% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.5% |
| Enrollment | 32,691 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 56.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,456 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Northridge (this school) | 80 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| Iowa State University | 79 | $18,589 | $63,386 |
| Michigan State University | 79 | $19,680 | $67,253 |
| University of Kansas | 76 | $18,059 | $61,945 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State University-Northridge delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $7,021 per year ($28,084 over four years), graduates earn a median of $59,115 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 7 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $13,872 is very manageable against $59,115 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.