CSUN Housing Costs

$8,001 On-Campus Room Typical Cost

$5,098 On-Campus Meals Typical Cost

$1,338 Books & Supplies Typical Cost

$3,244 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

Living Expenses and How They Compare at CSUN?

Understanding all of the expenses related to attending college can allow you to make the best decision at California State University-Northridge.

On this page you will find:

Living Expenses Outline
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Housing and Meal Plan Costs at CSUN

This school prices housing and dining separately. The on-campus housing cost for a typical student was $8,001 in 2026, with the price of an average meal plan at $5,098. Taken together, a typical on-campus student at California State University-Northridge spent approximately $21,776 in 2026 after factoring in housing, meals, books and other essentials.

The following table outlines average expected costs for both on-campus and off-campus housing, meals and other expenses at California State University-Northridge.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$17,194	$26,966
— Housing	$8,001
— Meals	$5,098
Other Living Expenses	$3,244	$4,430
Books and Supplies	$1,338	$1,338
Total	$21,776	$32,734

Will You Spend Four Years On Campus? Estimated Four-Year Cost: $97,730

Tuition is not the only college cost that climbs each year — room and board does too. Projecting the trend helps you plan for all four years instead of only the first.

Over four years you could pay about $97,730 by the time you graduate.

See how housing and dining costs have changed over recent years and where they are trending at California State University-Northridge.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$14,634
Two Years Ago	$15,120
One Year Ago	$15,892
Most Recent Year (2026)	$17,194
One Year From Now *	$18,196
Two Years From Now *	$19,257
Three Years From Now *	$20,380
Four Years From Now *	$21,569

* estimated

Over the reported period, on-campus housing and dining changed about 5.8% annually. At the same pace next year, the total would be roughly $22,778 in their first year.

Projected forward, the last year of a four-year degree runs about $26,151 for a bachelor’s program; a two-year student would see about $23,839 for the last year of an associate degree.

For a full bachelor’s degree, expect to spend a total of around $97,730 for a bachelor’s, while two years would run about $46,617 for a two-year stay.