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Rank: 45

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CAhttps://www.csun.edu
With roughly 36,000 undergrads, California State University, Northridge is known for being a rather large but fairly diverse community situated in the heart of Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. About half of the applicants who apply are accepted into Northridge, and once there, they have options. The university offers nearly 70 majors, including athletic training, music therapy, and accountancy. When not in class, students can take advantage of the Oasis Wellness Center, which offers nap pods, massages, yoga classes, and more. They can also do homework in the Oviatt Library, which has been featured in Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Battlestar Galactica. Like much of the California State University system, the Northridge campus stands out for successfully serving a large number of lower-income students. CSUN's graduation rate, for example, is 37% higher than would be expected based on the academic and economic backgrounds of the students enrolled, according to Money's analysis. Sports aren't really a huge part of campus life at Cal State, Northridge, but CSUN fields 18 athletics teams at the NCAA Division I level. CSUN dropped its football program due to budget cuts, but the university is one of about 50 schools in the nation with a Division I beach volleyball program. Prominent graduates from the university include singer-songwriter Paula Abdul, actress Eva Longoria, and singer Andy Grammer.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
FALL 2020 PLAN: A limited number of students returned to live on Cal State, Northridge campus for the fall, but classes will remain mostly virtual.
costs
Est. Full Price 2020-2021
$23,700
% of students who get any grants
73%
Est. price for students who receive aid
$8,900
Average price for low-income students
$6,000
admissions
Acceptance rate
51%
Median SAT/ACT Score
1030/19
SAT/ACT Required for Fall 2021?
no
Enrollment
34,910
Financial Aid
% of students with need who get grants
84%
% of need met
N/A
% of students who get merit* grants
17%
Average merit grant
$2,450
student success
Graduation rate
54%
Average time to a degree
5 years
Average student debt
$14,490
Average salary within 5 years
$48,600
% earning more than $28,000
74%
key deadlines
Early decision application
N/A
Regular application
N/A

* Share of full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants.

* Full price of attendance includes on-campus room & board fees, which may not be applicable to all colleges' reopening plans this year.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com, Money/American Institutes for Research calculations, Opportunity Insights.

coronavirus update

FALL 2020 PLAN: A limited number of students returned to live on Cal State, Northridge campus for the fall, but classes will remain mostly virtual.

* Share of full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and were awarded grants.

* Full price of attendance includes on-campus room & board fees, which may not be applicable to all colleges' reopening plans this year.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, Peterson's, PayScale.com, Money/American Institutes for Research calculations, Opportunity Insights.

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