California State University, Northridge

In 2022, CSU Northridge's tuition was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $17,622 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the displayed price of tuition doesn't always mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition at California State University, Northridge.

First-year students that attend California State University, Northridge full-time are awarded $11,576 a year in financial aid, on average.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at California State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the total cost of attending college. Take the time to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Is California State University, Northridge's Tuition Different for International Students?

California State University, Northridge has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at California State University, Northridge usually pay around $17,622 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

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California State University, Northridge Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at California State University, Northridge.

House and Food Costs at California State University, Northridge

Board costs can depend on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at California State University, Northridge

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at California State University, Northridge

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation.

Where are a college is located can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city might be pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. California State University, Northridgeis in a city in California, not far from Los Angeles.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.

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Financial Breakdown for California State University, Northridge

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to California State University, Northridge.

Total Cost of California State University, Northridge

What will the cost of attending California State University, Northridge be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition	$17,622

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at California State University, Northridge

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The majority of California State University, Northridge undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 23,020 of the 34,275 undergrads enrolled received financial aid.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $11,576 a year.

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on California State University, Northridge financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California State University, Northridge

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, California State University, Northridge awarded 18,856 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $231 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $11.72 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

California State University, Northridge Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for California State University, Northridge students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at California State University, Northridge was $11,576 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of California State University, Northridge seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-16,062
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-4,486
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$7,394

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending California State University, Northridge really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the California State University, Northridge's net cost calculator on their website.

California State University, Northridge Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

CSU Northridge Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

California State University, Northridge's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about California State University, Northridge's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About California State University, Northridge

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