Idaho State vs California State University-Northridge (CSUN)
Idaho State University and California State University-Northridge, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Idaho State, nestled in the scenic city of Pocatello, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. In contrast, California State University-Northridge, located in the vibrant San Fernando Valley, attracts a more diverse student body, reflecting its proximity to Los Angeles. While both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, Idaho State excels in fields like nursing, health professions, and engineering, while California State University-Northridge shines in business, communication, and the arts. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California State University-Northridge |
![]() Idaho State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Northridge, California | Pocatello, Idaho |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 82.0% | 65.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.1% | Open Admission |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
|
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$65
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SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 23,656 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 20,842 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,716 | |
Yield rate | 22.6% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | Required | N/A |
Recommendation letters | Not required | N/A |
High school transcript | Not required | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$31,857
Out of state:
$43,737
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In state:
$23,172
Out of state:
$40,626
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Average net price | $8,708 | $13,012 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
|
In state:
$5,928
Out of state:
$23,382
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,316
Meal plan:
$4,506
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Room/dormitory:
$2,950
Meal plan:
$4,390
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
82.0%
Average amount $10,882 |
86.0%
Average amount $8,089 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
14.0%
Average amount $4,779 |
36.0%
Average amount $4,829 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $12,360 |
2.0%
Average amount $9,511 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
34,496
Men 45.0% Women 55.0% |
9,818
Men 41.1% Women 58.9% |
Graduate students |
5,612
Men 33.0% Women 67.0% |
2,317
Men 39.0% Women 61.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 1.7% | 8.9% |
International students | 6.0% | 1.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,029 | 1,213 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Hawaii Nevada Texas | Idaho California Utah Washington Wyoming |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 26:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.2% | 39.1% |
Dropout rate | 33.7% | 36.1% |
Transferred out | 5.6% | 19.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
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