Northridge, CA · Public

California State University-Northridge Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

California State University-Northridge cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Competitive value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$20,485
Net Price$7,021
Median Earnings$59,115
Graduation Rate57%
Median Debt$12,000
Admission Rate93.5%
Student Count32,691
SAT AverageN/A

California State University-Northridge Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $7,021
Money available $0
Still needed per year $7,021
Monthly gap $585

Four-year projection: about $28,084 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $12,000.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$59,115Total cost$20,485Net price$7,021Median debt$12,000

Value Score Comparison

California State Univer...64.6Dataset avg54.3CA avg58.7
Median earnings6% better than dataset average
$59,115
Total annual cost53% better than dataset average
$20,485
Average net price67% better than dataset average
$7,021
Graduation rate0.1 percentage points better than dataset average
57%
Median debt26% better than dataset average
$12,000

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

CA Average

Value Score: 58.7

Net Price: $25,380

Earnings: $67,612

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $7,021, compared with reported total cost of $20,485.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $59,115 and the graduation rate is 57%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $12,000, while the loan share is 21.4%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 93.5% and Pell Grant share is 56.1%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationNorthridge, CA
Admission Rate93.5%
In-State Tuition$7,458
Out-of-State Tuition$20,058
Total Cost$20,485
Net Price$7,021
Median Earnings$59,115
Graduation Rate57%
Median Debt$12,000
Pell Grant Share56.1%
Loan Share21.4%
Average Faculty Salary$12,456
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 23.6 + graduation 14.2 + net price 12.7 + total cost 7.4 + debt 6.6 = 64.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings23.6$59,115 · max 40 pts
Graduation14.257% · max 25 pts
Net Price12.7$7,021 · max 15 pts
Total Cost7.4$20,485 · max 10 pts
Debt6.6$12,000 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.