Boise State vs California State University-Northridge (CSUN)

Boise State University and California State University-Northridge, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Boise State, nestled in the vibrant city of Boise, Idaho, boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its selectivity. In contrast, California State University-Northridge, situated in the bustling San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, welcomes a more diverse student body, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity. While both universities excel in various academic disciplines, Boise State is renowned for its strong programs in engineering and business, while California State University-Northridge shines in the arts, music, and education. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Boise State University logo

Boise State University

California State University-Northridge logo

California State University-Northridge

Overview

Location Boise, Idaho Northridge, California
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Large
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 76.0% 82.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 83.1% 88.1%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $65
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $70
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 15,648 23,656
Total number of admissions given out 13,008 20,842
Admitted students who chose to enroll 3,171 4,716
Yield rate 24.4% 22.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,437

Out of state: $41,357
In state: $31,857

Out of state: $43,737
Average net price $15,828 $8,708
Tuition
In state: $5,532

Out of state: $22,452
In state: $5,742

Out of state: $17,622
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,713

Meal plan: $4,609
Room/dormitory: $7,316

Meal plan: $4,506
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

76.0%
Average amount $10,476
82.0%
Average amount $10,882
Students receiving federal student loan 40.0%
Average amount $4,982
14.0%
Average amount $4,779
Students taking out private loans 6.0%
Average amount $16,745
1.0%
Average amount $12,360

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 22,404
Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
34,496
Men 45.0% Women 55.0%
Graduate students 3,390
Men 35.8% Women 64.2%
5,612
Men 33.0% Women 67.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Moderate
Out-of-state students 50.4% 1.7%
International students 1.3% 6.0%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Large
Dormitory capacity 3,158 4,029
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Idaho California Washington Oregon Nevada California Washington Hawaii Nevada Texas

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Computer and Information Science
Students to faculty ratio 20:1 26:1
Institutional accreditation Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 53.6% 54.2%
Dropout rate 22.8% 33.7%
Transferred out 19.6% 5.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,319
  • Year 2: $75,047
  • Year 3: $88,314
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $70,923
  • Year 2: $76,208
  • Year 3: $87,983
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,628
  • Year 2: $72,274
  • Year 3: $87,469
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,383
  • Year 2: $74,786
  • Year 3: $86,815
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,634
  • Year 2: $59,417
  • Year 3: $67,986
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,725
  • Year 2: $60,025
  • Year 3: $66,772
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,061
  • Year 2: $65,621
  • Year 3: $66,199
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,345
  • Year 2: $52,385
  • Year 3: $60,674
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,487
  • Year 2: $60,240
  • Year 3: $59,945
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,480
  • Year 2: $50,022
  • Year 3: $59,773
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $95,739
  • Year 3: $108,158
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,831
  • Year 2: $92,124
  • Year 3: $98,535
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,745
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $97,852
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $83,455
  • Year 2: $88,907
  • Year 3: $96,626
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,863
  • Year 2: $75,204
  • Year 3: $92,559
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $80,493
  • Year 3: $92,252
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $83,281
  • Year 2: $83,669
  • Year 3: $89,964
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,782
  • Year 2: $75,047
  • Year 3: $84,221
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,859
  • Year 2: $73,070
  • Year 3: $82,977
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,180
  • Year 2: $76,863
  • Year 3: $82,194

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