California State University-Northridge vs San Diego State University
Northridge, CA — San Diego, CA
| Metric | California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA | San Diego State University San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Northridge, CA | San Diego, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 32,691 | 35,377 |
| Acceptance Rate | 93.5% | 36.2% |
| SAT Average | — | — |
| In-State Tuition | $7,458 | $8,728 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,058 | $21,328 |
| Avg Net Price | $7,021 | $15,364 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,872 | $15,000 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 56.5% | 77.3% |
| Retention Rate | 73.4% | 90.6% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $44,372 | $52,620 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $59,115 | $64,909 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 999500.0% | 794300.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA
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San Diego State University
San Diego, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do California State University-Northridge and San Diego State University compare?▼
California State University-Northridge (Northridge, CA) has an acceptance rate of 93.5%, in-state tuition of $7,458, and median 10-year earnings of $59,115. San Diego State University (San Diego, CA) has an acceptance rate of 36.2%, in-state tuition of $8,728, and median 10-year earnings of $64,909.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, California State University-Northridge or San Diego State University?▼
San Diego State University graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $64,909 vs $59,115. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, California State University-Northridge or San Diego State University?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), California State University-Northridge is the more affordable option at $7,021 per year versus $15,364.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
San Diego State University has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 77.3% vs 56.5%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025