California State University-Los Angeles vs California State University-Northridge
Both universities offer accessible admission with CSU-LA accepting 87% of applicants compared to CSUN's 91%. CSU-LA provides better financial value with lower tuition ($6,813 vs $7,095 in-state) and significantly lower average net price ($4,113 vs $7,599). Students at CSU-LA graduate with less debt ($13,000 vs $13,872) while earning nearly identical salaries ($59,211 vs $59,115 after 10 years).
Academically, both schools maintain similar student-faculty ratios, though CSU-LA offers slightly more personal attention at 19:1 versus CSUN's 21:1. CSUN demonstrates marginally better academic outcomes with a 56% six-year graduation rate and 74% retention rate compared to CSU-LA's 53% and 73% respectively.
The campus experiences differ notably in scale and athletics. CSUN enrolls 32,357 students compared to CSU-LA's 21,478, creating a larger university atmosphere. CSUN competes in NCAA Division I athletics, offering major college sports experiences, while CSU-LA participates in Division II.
Location varies significantly: CSU-LA sits in urban Los Angeles providing direct access to city internships and cultural opportunities, while CSUN operates from the suburban San Fernando Valley, offering a more traditional college town environment with easier parking and campus navigation.
Both schools serve working students well with commuter-friendly policies and evening classes. Students seeking a smaller, more affordable urban experience with strong financial aid should consider CSU-LA, while those preferring a larger campus community with Division I athletics and suburban setting would find CSUN more appealing.
Both universities offer accessible admission with CSU-LA accepting 87% of applicants compared to CSUN's 91%. CSU-LA provides better financial value with lower tuition ($6,813 vs $7,095 in-state) and significantly lower average net price ($4,113 vs $7,599). Students at CSU-LA graduate with less debt ($13,000 vs $13,872) while earning nearly identical salaries ($59,211 vs $59,115 after 10 years).
Academically, both schools maintain similar student-faculty ratios, though CSU-LA offers slightly more personal attention at 19:1 versus CSUN's 21:1. CSUN demonstrates marginally better academic outcomes with a 56% six-year graduation rate and 74% retention rate compared to CSU-LA's 53% and 73% respectively.
The campus experiences differ notably in scale and athletics. CSUN enrolls 32,357 students compared to CSU-LA's 21,478, creating a larger university atmosphere. CSUN competes in NCAA Division I athletics, offering major college sports experiences, while CSU-LA participates in Division II.
Location varies significantly: CSU-LA sits in urban Los Angeles providing direct access to city internships and cultural opportunities, while CSUN operates from the suburban San Fernando Valley, offering a more traditional college town environment with easier parking and campus navigation.
Both schools serve working students well with commuter-friendly policies and evening classes. Students seeking a smaller, more affordable urban experience with strong financial aid should consider CSU-LA, while those preferring a larger campus community with Division I athletics and suburban setting would find CSUN more appealing.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| California State University-Los Angeles | California State University-Northridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 86.9% | 91.2% |
| Enrollment | 21,478 | 32,357 |
| In-State Tuition | $6,813 | $7,095 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,698 | $18,975 |
| Net Price | $4,113 | $7,599 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.6% | 56.2% |
| Retention Rate | 72.9% | 74.4% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,211 | $59,115 |
| Median Debt | $13,000 | $13,872 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| California State University-Los Angeles | California State University-Northridge | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $87,548 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $92,124 |
| Civil Engineering. | $61,516 | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $83,669 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $59,124 | Construction Engineering Technologies. | $75,204 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $50,856 | Computer Science. | $75,047 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $48,432 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $73,070 |