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Cal State Northridge acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as CSUN
Cal State Northridge accepts 93% of applicants. It is a public university in Northridge, California, with about 32,691 undergraduates. The sticker price is $22,388 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $6,346.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for CSUN?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 2.8 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.1 for admission to be likely (80%+).
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Cal State Northridge by GPA
Cal State Northridge does not consider SAT or ACT scores, so these chances assume no test score. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | California resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 36% Target | 15% Reach |
| 2.7 | 48% Target | 22% Reach |
| 3.0 | 80% Target | 54% Target |
| 3.3 | 94% Likely | 83% Likely |
| 3.5 | 97% Likely | 93% Likely |
| 3.7 | 97% Likely | 97% Likely |
| 3.9 | 97% Likely | 97% Likely |
| 4.0 | 97% Likely | 97% Likely |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Cal State Northridge
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $22,388 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $5,600 | $15,800 |
| $50k – $100k | $5,900 | $17,300 |
| $100k – $150k | $9,800 | $21,100 |
| $150k – $250k | $19,000 | $30,400 |
| Over $250k | $20,800 | $32,100 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Cal State Northridge
What is the acceptance rate at Cal State Northridge?
Cal State Northridge admits 93% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Cal State Northridge?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 2.8 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 3.1 for admission to be likely (80%+). This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores (not considered here), activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Cal State Northridge?
Cal State Northridge does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
How much does Cal State Northridge cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $22,388 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $6,346 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $5,600 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Cal State Northridge?
57% of students finish their degree, and 73% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Cal State Northridge
- Sacramento StateSacramento, CA · admits 94%
- San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA · admits 85%
- University of California, RiversideRiverside, CA · admits 76%
- University of KansasLawrence, KS · admits 93%
- Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · admits 94%
- University of KentuckyLexington, KY · admits 93%