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Is California State University-Northridge worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for California State University-Northridge, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
California State University-Northridge lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $13,872 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $59,115, but the margin is not huge. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$7,021
Median earnings 10 years out
$59,115
Median debt at graduation
$13,872
Graduation rate
57%
At California State University-Northridge, a typical graduate carries about $13,872 in student debt and earns roughly $59,115 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $158 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
California State University-Northridge is a public four year school in Northridge, CA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
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California State University-Fresno
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Worth-It Score: 70/100
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Public 4-year
California State University-Fullerton
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Worth-It Score: 77/100
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Public 4-year
California State University-Stanislaus
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Worth-It Score: 70/100
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Public 4-year
California State University-Dominguez Hills
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Public 4-year
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA
Worth-It Score: 66/100
Median net price: $5,652
Common questions about California State University-Northridge
The median net price at California State University-Northridge is $7,021 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →