California State University-Northridge
Northridge, California · Public · 93.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 80/100 · Strong Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
California State University-Northridge is a large public university in the San Fernando Valley, enrolling 32,691 students and earning an overall ROI score of 80 - Strong Value. Its earnings premium sub-score of 97 out of 100 reflects that CSUN graduates earn dramatically more than a high school credential alternative, driven by the Los Angeles regional labor market and the institution's diverse, career-oriented program mix. The in-state tuition of $7,458 and average net price of $7,021 produce an estimated four-year total cost of only $28,084. The median debt of $13,872 and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.371 reflect well-calibrated borrowing at the institutional level. The seven-year payback period and strong earnings trajectory from $37,400 at six years to $59,115 at ten years make the financial case compelling. The 57% completion rate is the institution's primary weakness: over two in five students who start do not complete a degree within the standard measurement period, reflecting the challenges facing a commuter-heavy, working-student population. Pell Grant recipients represent 56% of enrollment - a significant majority - making CSUN economically accessible. Among the 50+ programs with Scorecard data, nursing, allied health, electrical engineering, accounting, and computer science all earn A or A-range grades.
California State University-Northridge scores in the top 13% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
California State University-Northridge
Quick 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 |
| Average 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).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $7,458/year ($20,058/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. After grants, scholarships, and aid, the average student here pays a net price of $7,021/year, or roughly $28,084 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $4,905/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,040/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $13,872, which works out to about $147 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($37,400) and comes to 0.37, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Low-income students (families under $30,000) pay approximately $4,905 annually at net price. At roughly $19,620 over four years, CSUN represents transformational access for low-income California students. Against average six-year earnings of $37,400 and a seven-year payback period, the financial case is strongly positive even at below-average earnings. Pell Grants, Cal Grant, and CSUN institutional aid combine to make this price possible for 56% of students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income students ($30,001 - $75,000) pay between $5,450 and $7,744 annually. The seven-year payback period and $59,115 ten-year median earnings make this an unambiguously strong investment for middle-income California families whose students can access CSUN's career-oriented programs.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $75,001-$110,000 pay $11,262 per year and those above $110,000 pay $18,040, about $72,000 over four years for the highest band. The 80 overall ROI score at this price point reflects a straightforward financial value story.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing earns an A grade with first-year median earnings of $106,780 and four-year earnings of $116,613. The debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.187. With 132 graduates, the statistical confidence is high. Los Angeles's dense hospital and health system market ensures immediate placement demand.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering earns an A grade with first-year earnings of $75,207 and four-year earnings of $104,065. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.232 is very favorable. With 67 graduates, the cohort is meaningful. CSUN's location in the San Fernando Valley - home to a large concentration of defense, aerospace, and technology employers - creates strong engineering placement. At a $7,021 net price, the ROI for electrical engineering is strong.
Accounting
Accounting earns an A grade with first-year earnings of $68,904 and four-year earnings of $92,329. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.229 is excellent. With 257 graduates, this is one of CSUN's highest-volume programs with statistically robust data. The David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at CSUN has strong employer relationships in the Los Angeles accounting and professional services market. Accounting graduates benefit from immediate regional demand from the entertainment, real estate, and financial services industries.
Computer Science
Computer Science earns a B+ grade with first-year earnings of $62,821 and four-year earnings of $101,348. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.294 is low. With 258 graduates, this is a high-confidence program data point. CSUN's location adjacent to the technology and entertainment industry employers of the San Fernando Valley creates strong tech placement pipelines. The four-year earnings figure of $101,348 significantly exceeds the $28,084 estimated four-year cost.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration earns a B+ grade with first-year earnings of $43,714 and four-year earnings of $65,760. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.343 is favorable. With 1,100 graduates, this is CSUN's largest program cohort and its most statistically robust program data point. The large cohort reflects CSUN's significant role as a business degree provider for the Los Angeles regional economy. While first-year earnings are modest, the four-year figure and the low cost of attendance make this a financially defensible pathway.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.7% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.8% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.5% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 68.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How California State University-Northridge’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 93.5% |
| Enrollment | 32,691 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 56.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,456 |
CSUN admits 93% of applicants - effectively open access for California residents who meet minimum CSU eligibility requirements. No standardized test data is published. Admission to impacted programs (nursing, computer science, engineering, business) requires meeting program-specific prerequisites and GPA thresholds that are more selective than general admission. Students targeting high-demand programs should plan their prerequisite coursework carefully and apply to their intended major directly rather than as undeclared.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSUN's completion rate is 57% and repayment rate is 71%. For California residents accessing in-state pricing, CSUN's combination of low cost, large program breadth, and Los Angeles market access produces a Strong Value designation that holds across most income bands.
| 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 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See California State University-Northridge side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
CSUN fits California residents - especially those from the Los Angeles metropolitan area - who are seeking a career-oriented public university education at a fraction of private-school cost. The institution's extraordinary value proposition at the institutional level masks wide program variation, from A-grade nursing and engineering to D- and F-grade performing arts. Students who enter with a focused program plan and take advantage of CSUN's extensive career services and employer connections in the Los Angeles economy will find strong ROI. Students who arrive without a major direction or who face enrollment barriers should understand the completion rate context.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
For most students, California State University-Northridge pays off. You'd pay about $7,021 a year after aid ($28,084 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $59,115 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback - the time it takes for the earnings bump to cover what you spent - at roughly 7 years, a solid return.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. What to keep an eye on: a three-year loan repayment rate of 70.8% (median across the schools we score: 73.6%).
Median debt of $13,872 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $37,400 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
California State University-Northridge: Common Questions
Is California State University-Northridge worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students California State University-Northridge pays off. It scores 80/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $7,021 a year after aid ($28,084 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $59,115 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 7 years to earn back.
How much does California State University-Northridge cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $7,021 a year, or roughly $28,084 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do California State University-Northridge graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $59,115 ten years after enrolling, roughly $17,315 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off California State University-Northridge?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 7 years for California State University-Northridge. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do California State University-Northridge graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $13,872, against average earnings of $37,400 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Northridge?
The six-year graduation rate is 57.0%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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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.