California State University, Northridge (CSU) Courses and Fees 2026

California State University, Northridge fees for Indian students in 2026-2027 are USD 22,458 (INR 21.41 Lakhs) per year for non-resident undergraduate students and USD 21,342 (INR 20.34 Lakhs) per year for graduate students, with MS Computer Science, MS Engineering Management, and MBA the most Indian-applied programmes.

The Spring 2027 intake accepts applications through 31 October 2026 with documents due by 15 November 2026. Fall 2027 is also open, with a rolling window closing 15 May 2027. F1 visa processing takes 3 to 8 weeks from Indian consulates, both intakes remain workable if you finalize documents and Form I-20 promptly.

• Undergraduate non-resident tuition: USD 22,458 (INR 21.41 Lakhs) per year
• Graduate non-resident tuition: USD 21,342 (INR 20.34 Lakhs) per year
• MBA non-resident tuition: USD 29,046 (INR 27.68 Lakhs) per year
• Application fee: USD 70 (INR 6,672)
• Highest CSUN merit award (Dianne F. Harrison Leadership Award): USD 8,000 (INR 7.62 Lakhs)

A 2-year MS at California State University, Northridge costs approximately INR 1.08 Crore including tuition and 24 months of Los Angeles living. A 4-year BS totals roughly INR 1.99 Crore on the same basis. All INR values in this article are computed at 1 USD = INR 95.31 (xe.com, 12 August 2026 IST).

► Confirm your eligibility and deadlines in the CSUN Admissions Guide.

California State University, Northridge Tuition Fees by Programme

California State University, Northridge charges tuition per unit for state-support courses. Non-resident students pay the CSU state tuition plus a Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition of USD 471 (INR 44,891) per unit for Fall 2026 and USD 444 (INR 42,318) per unit for Spring 2026. Full-time enrollment (12 or more units) triggers the flat annual rates listed below.

Undergraduate Tuition at California State University, Northridge: 2026-2027

Full-time non-resident undergraduate tuition is USD 22,458 (INR 21.41 Lakhs) per academic year, covering both state-support tuition and the non-resident supplement across two 15-unit semesters.

Source: California State University, Northridge Tuition and Fees 2026-2027, csun.edu/financialaid/cost-attendance. Application fee of USD 70 (INR 6,672) applies to every programme, paid once through Cal State Apply.

Total 4-year non-resident tuition for a BS at California State University, Northridge is approximately USD 89,832 (INR 85.62 Lakhs), assuming stable per-unit rates.

Graduate Tuition at California State University, Northridge: 2026-2027

Full-time non-resident graduate tuition is USD 21,342 (INR 20.34 Lakhs) per academic year for most Master’s programmes. The MBA and other Professional Programme courses carry a higher rate.

Source: California State University, Northridge Graduate Tuition and Fees 2026-2027, csun.edu/financialaid/cost-attendance.

► Explore all 250+ programmes and their entry requirements on the CSUN Programmes page.

California State University, Northridge Fee Trend by Year

The California State University Board of Trustees approved a Multi-Year Tuition Adjustment in September 2023 that applies a 6 percent annual increase across all 23 CSU campuses, including California State University, Northridge, through the 2028-2029 academic year. This means each successive Fall intake pays 6 percent more than the previous year until the plan expires.

Source: California State University Board of Trustees Multi-Year Tuition Adjustment (September 2023) and California State University, Northridge Tuition and Fees 2026-2027. Prior-year non-resident supplement archives were not fetchable at generation time; the 2027-2028 figure is the announced CSU adjustment applied to the current base.

Cost of Living in Northridge, Los Angeles for Indian Students at California State University, Northridge

California State University, Northridge estimates annual off-campus living costs at USD 31,514 (INR 30.04 Lakhs) for a graduate student on a 12-month basis. The San Fernando Valley (Northridge, Reseda, Panorama City) is 30 to 40 percent cheaper than Westwood or Santa Monica for equivalent apartments.

Source: California State University, Northridge Cost of Attendance 2026-2027, csun.edu/financialaid/cost-attendance.

Los Angeles rents in the San Fernando Valley have risen roughly 4 to 5 percent annually since 2023, but Northridge remains one of the most affordable pockets in the LA metro area. Sharing a 2BHK with three roommates typically brings your rent share to USD 700 to 900 (INR 66,717 to 85,779) per month, well below the CSUN-published estimate.

► Check your admission chances with the current CSUN Acceptance Rate breakdown.

Total Cost of Studying at California State University, Northridge

Total first-year cost at California State University, Northridge for an Indian graduate student is approximately USD 56,829 (INR 54.16 Lakhs), covering non-resident tuition, 12 months of Los Angeles living, mandatory F1 visa fees, health insurance, and books.

Source: California State University, Northridge Cost of Attendance 2026-2027 and US Department of State F1 visa fee schedule. Fees and Insurance covers SEVIS I-901 (USD 350), F1 visa MRV (USD 185), student health insurance (approx USD 2,000), and books (USD 1,438).

Across a full 2-year MS programme, expect approximately INR 1.08 Crore including tuition, 24 months of Los Angeles living, and one-time F1 visa costs. A 4-year BS totals approximately INR 1.99 Crore on the same basis.

A student funding this with an INR 60 Lakh education loan at 10.5 percent over 10 years pays roughly INR 81,000 per month EMI. An INR 1 Crore loan for the full MS cost at the same terms works out to INR 1.35 Lakhs per month.

California State University, Northridge Scholarships for Indian Students

California State University, Northridge offers six named scholarships open to international and graduate students for 2026-2027, with awards ranging from USD 500 (INR 47,655) to USD 8,000 (INR 7.62 Lakhs). Awards are competitive and require a separate application through the CSUN Scholarship Portal, they are not automatic on admission.

Source: California State University, Northridge Scholarship Portal 2026-2027, csun.edu/financialaid/scholarships.

External Indian scholarships for the Fall 2027 intake open between January and April 2027. Start collecting essays, recommenders, and financial documents now so you are ready to submit within the first week each award opens.

Source: Respective foundation portals, dates verified as recurring cycles for the Fall 2027 intake.

► See the full list of country-specific and merit awards in the CSUN Scholarships Guide.

California State University, Northridge Tuition Deposit and Payment Options

California State University, Northridge requires an enrollment confirmation deposit of USD 250 (INR 23,828) once you accept your admission offer. This deposit secures your Form I-20 (the document required for the F1 student visa) and counts toward your first-semester tuition. It is non-refundable if you withdraw after paying.

Methods of Payment at California State University, Northridge

• Flywire international payment portal: CSUN’s official partner for cross-border payments; supports INR-to-USD transfers via Indian bank account or card; typically saves 2 to 3 percent versus a bank wire and provides an INR-locked rate.
• Bank wire transfer (telegraphic transfer): Direct SWIFT transfer to the CSUN bank account; requires your CSUN student ID as reference; takes 3 to 5 working days; INR bank fees run INR 1,500 to 3,000.
• Forex card: Pre-loaded USD card from HDFC, ICICI, or Axis; convenient for on-campus payments and smaller instalments; conversion locked at load time.
• Education loan disbursement: Indian lenders (SBI, HDFC Credila, Avanse, ICICI) can disburse tuition directly to CSUN once your I-20 is issued, no cash flow through your family account.

Steps to Pay the Tuition Fee at California State University, Northridge

1. Accept the admission offer through the CSUN Applicant Portal within the deadline given on your offer letter.
2. Pay the USD 250 (INR 23,828) enrollment confirmation deposit online via Flywire or credit card.
3. Receive your Form I-20 by email within 2 to 4 weeks of deposit confirmation.
4. Complete the F1 visa process in India: pay SEVIS I-901 fee, submit DS-160, book biometrics and interview at the US Consulate.
5. Pay the first-semester tuition balance at registration (January 2027 for Spring, August 2027 for Fall) via Flywire or bank wire.
6. Retain every payment receipt and confirmation email for your visa file and future OPT paperwork.

California State University, Northridge offers a semester payment plan that splits each term’s tuition into 4 monthly instalments for a USD 33 (INR 3,145) setup fee. Full upfront payment does not carry a discount.

Source: California State University, Northridge Cash Services and Payment Options, csun.edu/cashservices.

► Compare document, deposit, and I-20 timelines across intakes in the CSUN Admissions Guide.

Hidden Costs of Studying at California State University, Northridge

For a Spring 2027 start, the most urgent hidden cost is your F1 visa timeline. If your slot in Chennai, Mumbai, or Delhi is more than 6 weeks out, you may need to book a premium ticket, apply for expedited processing, or fly to a less busy consulate. This can add INR 40,000 to INR 1 Lakh to your budget.

• F1 visa fees: SEVIS I-901 fee USD 350 (INR 33,359) plus DS-160 MRV fee USD 185 (INR 17,632), total USD 535 (INR 50,991).
• Mandatory student health insurance: Approximately USD 2,000 (INR 1.91 Lakhs) per year through the CSUN plan; waivable only with a US-based equivalent plan.
• Initial setup in Los Angeles: First month’s rent plus security deposit USD 2,500 to 3,500 (INR 2.38 to 3.34 Lakhs), furniture and kitchenware USD 500 to 800 (INR 47,655 to 76,248), phone plan and utilities USD 200 (INR 19,062).
• English test retake: If your TOEFL is below 80 or IELTS below 6.5, a retake costs USD 210 (INR 20,015) plus prep time.
• Bank wire transfer fees: INR 1,500 to 3,000 per outward transfer plus GST, budget INR 15,000 to 25,000 across all first-year tuition instalments.
• Flights India to Los Angeles: One-way economy USD 800 to 1,500 (INR 76,248 to 1.43 Lakhs) for arrival; one round trip home per year adds USD 1,200 to 1,800 (INR 1.14 to 1.72 Lakhs).

Budget approximately INR 6 to 9 Lakhs for these first-year hidden costs on top of the CoA figure.

Fee Saving Strategies for Indian Students at California State University, Northridge

For a Fall 2027 start, the highest-value action right now is preparing the Inlaks Shivdasani application for the 12 March 2027 deadline, one award covers up to 3 to 4 years of CSUN tuition (up to INR 95.31 Lakhs).

• On-campus CSUN Housing: Residential Life dorms cost USD 12,000 to 14,000 (INR 11.44 to 13.34 Lakhs) per academic year including a meal plan, roughly INR 2 to 4 Lakhs cheaper than off-campus for first-year students without a US credit history.
• Graduate assistantships and student assistant roles: On-campus work at USD 17 to 20 per hour (INR 1,620 to 1,906), capped at 20 hours per week during term, covers roughly INR 12 to 14 Lakhs per academic year of living costs.
• CPT internships during the programme: After 2 semesters, CPT allows paid off-campus work in LA tech, entertainment, and healthcare sectors, USD 25 to 40 per hour (INR 2,383 to 3,812) is common for MS students.
• Section 80E tax benefit in India: Interest paid on your Indian education loan is fully deductible from taxable income for 8 years after repayment starts. A family in the 30 percent bracket paying INR 4 Lakhs interest annually saves INR 1.20 Lakhs in tax each year.
• Take 12 to 15 units, not 18: Overload units above 15 attract per-unit surcharges. Standard full-time load of 12 to 15 units keeps tuition at the flat rate.
• 36-month STEM OPT after graduation: Post-completion Optional Practical Training gives 12 months of USA work rights, extended to 36 months for STEM-designated programmes like MS Computer Science and MS Engineering. Three years of US wages materially offsets loan EMI.

Is California State University, Northridge Worth the Cost for Indian Students

Yes, California State University, Northridge is a strong value pick for Indian students: at approximately INR 1.08 Crore total 2-year MS cost, an MS graduate earning USD 65,000 to 85,000 (INR 61.95 to 81.01 Lakhs) starting salary in Los Angeles can repay a full education loan within 5 to 7 years while retaining LA-tech and Bay Area career optionality.

California State University, Northridge is ranked 18th of 118 in the US News Regional Universities West 2025 list and 193rd of 357 in the Collegedunia USA 2026 rankings. Its Communication programme sits in the ARWU 201-300 global band and Psychology in the ARWU 401-500 global band, valuable subject reputations for students targeting media, HR analytics, and tech UX roles.

Indian students on F1 visas at California State University, Northridge are eligible for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (the post-study work authorization for US graduates) after completing a STEM-designated Master’s programme, giving 3 full years to earn US wages before returning to India or transitioning to an H1B visa.

Loan payback framing: an INR 60 Lakh loan at 10.5 percent over 10 years costs INR 81,000 per month EMI. A CSUN MS Computer Science graduate earning USD 85,000 (INR 81.01 Lakhs) in LA nets roughly INR 4.20 Lakhs per month post-tax; the EMI consumes about 20 percent of take-home pay, well within safe repayment ranges.

► Compare CSUN’s outcomes and profile against peer schools on the CSUN Overview page.