About
California Northstate University (CNU) is a private, for-profit university located in Elk Grove, California. It was founded in 2008 and has since grown to offer varied undergraduate and graduate programs in the health sciences, including medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and public health.
What is the acceptance rate of California Northstate University?
California Northstate University has an enrollment of 1668+ students, an acceptance rate of 96%, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1.
CNU is known for its focus on patient-centred care, active learning, and research. The university's College of Medicine is the first new medical school to be established in California in over 50 years. CNU's College of Pharmacy is also highly regarded, and it offers varied innovative programs, such as a Doctor of Pharmacy/Doctor of Nursing Practice joint degree.
California Northstate University's total tuition and fees for international students for the entire 4‐year College of Health Sciences undergraduate program is nearly $213,445, and for the entire 4-year Doctor of Medicine program, it is $291,218.
CNU's research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the California Department of Public Health. CNU is committed to providing its students with a high-quality education that will prepare them to be leaders in the healthcare field.
Top Reasons to Study in the California Northstate University
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: California Nprthstate University's student body is 40% minority, and the faculty is 50% minority. CNU also offers many programs and initiatives to support diversity and inclusion, such as the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Student Equity and Diversity.
- Excellent Clinical Training: California Northstate University students have access to excellent clinical training at several affiliated hospitals and clinics in Northern California. This includes Sutter Health, Kaiser Permanente, and the VA Northern California Health Care System. CNU students also have the opportunity to participate in international clinical rotations.
- Accreditation: California Northstate University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which means that CNU meets certain standards of quality.
- Small Class Sizes: California Northstate University classes are small, with an average of 20 students per class, allowing them to receive individualized attention.
- Collegiate Atmosphere: California Northstate University has a strong collegiate atmosphere, with varied student clubs and activities. This is a great place to meet new people and get involved in extracurricular activities.
Admissions
Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)
96%
Application Fee
$70 - $120
How to Apply at California Northstate University
UNDERGRADUATE
Here are the steps on how to apply to California Northstate University for undergraduate studies as an international applicant:
- Check the admission requirements: California Northstate University has different admission requirements for international applicants depending on their country of origin, so check thoroughly.
Submit your application materials: Your application materials will include:
- An application form.
- Official transcripts from your high school or previous university.
- SAT or ACT scores (if required).
- TOEFL or IELTS scores.
- Pay the application fee of $50.
POSTGRADUATE
Here are the steps on how to apply to California Northstate University for graduate studies as an international applicant:
Create an account and apply: The application process for international applicants can be found on the CNU website. Generally, submit the following application materials:
- Application form.
- Official transcripts.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement.
- English proficiency test scores.
- Resume or CV.
- Pay the application fee of $50.
- Request an interview.
- Submit your application.
MASTER'S AND PhD
Here are the steps on how to apply to California Northstate University for a master's or PhD as an international applicant:
Create an account and apply: The application process for international applicants can be found on the CNU website. Generally, submit the following application materials:
- Application form.
- Official transcripts.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement.
- English proficiency test scores.
- Resume or CV.
- Pay the application fee of $50.
- Request an interview.
- Submit your application.
Documents Required to Apply to California Northstate University
UNDERGRADUATE
Documents required to apply to California Northstate University as an international undergraduate applicant are:
- Completed Online Application.
- Application Fee.
- Official Transcripts.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
- SAT/ACT Scores.
POSTGRADUATE
Documents required to apply to California Northstate University as an international graduate applicant are:
- Completed Online Application.
- Application Fee.
- Official Transcripts.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- Personal Statement.
- Resume or CV.
- Any other additional documents.
MASTER'S AND PhD
Documents required to apply to California Northstate University as an international master's or PhD applicant are:
- Completed Online Application.
- Application Fee.
- Official Transcripts.
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- Personal Statement.
- Resume or CV.
- Any other additional documents.
Exams Accepted By California Northstate University
California Northstate University accepts the following English language tests and scores from international applicants:
- TOEFL: Minimum 550 paper/64iBT
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5
Campus Life
Transportation in the city
Elk Grove, California has several transportation options, including:
- Public Transportation: Elk Grove is served by the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). SacRT provides fixed-route bus service, as well as paratransit service for people with disabilities. There are 15 bus routes, with most routes running every 30 minutes or less during peak hours. SacRT also operates the SmaRT Ride service, which is a demand-responsive ride-hailing service for people who live or work in Elk Grove.
- Ride-Hailing Services: Uber and Lyft are also available in Elk Grove, serving as a convenient way to get around town, especially when travelling with a group or luggage.
- Taxis: Taxis can be a more expensive option than public transportation or ride-hailing services, but they can be a good option if you need a ride to or from a place not well-served by other transportation options.
Services offered by the university
- Academic Advising: California Northstate University academic advisors can help students choose the right courses, develop a plan for their degree, and transfer credits from other schools.
- Career Services: California Northstate University offers resources to help students find jobs and internships, including resume and cover letter writing workshops, mock interviews, and job fairs.
- Financial Aid: California North State University's financial aid office can help students apply for financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, and loans. The office also offers counselling to students who are struggling to pay for college.
- Health Services: California Northstate University offers a health services centre providing medical, dental, and mental health care to students, alongside health education and counselling services.
- Specialized Services: California Northstate University has a veterans' services office, a disability services office, and a multicultural student services office, providing specialized support to students who are veterans, have disabilities, or are from underrepresented groups.
Student life at California Northstate University
- Clubs and Organizations: There are 50+ clubs and organizations at California Northstate University, covering ranging interests, including academics, athletics, hobbies, and social causes. Some of the popular clubs include the American Medical Student Association, the Pre-Pharmacy Club, the Mock Trial Team, and the Asian American Student Association.
- Intramural Sports: California Northstate University offers intramural sports, including basketball, volleyball, flag football, and softball, serving as a great way to stay active and have fun with friends.
- Recreation: California Northstate University has a recreation centre with a gym, pool, and fitness classes. There are also hiking and biking trails nearby, as well as the American River for swimming and rafting.
- Community Service: California Northstate University students are encouraged to get involved in community service. There are many opportunities to volunteer at local hospitals, clinics, and schools.
On campus accomodation at California Northstate University
California Northstate University does not currently offer on-campus housing. However, they are in the process of constructing a new dormitory on their campus in Rancho Cordova. The dormitory is expected to be completed in 2024 and will have 416 beds.
Faculty
University Faculty Stats
- As of Fall 2021, California Northstate University had a total of 2,187 faculty members on the tenure track or tenured.
- Of these faculty members, 794 were tenured.
- The student-to-faculty ratio at California Northstate University is 10:1.
- The average faculty salary at California Northstate University is $160,000.
- The most common faculty degrees are the Doctor of Medicine (MD), the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and the Master of Science (MS).
- In 2021, they published over 1,000 peer-reviewed articles in academic journals.
Career Opportunities
Internship opportunities at California Northstate University
California Northstate University offers several internships and part-time job opportunities for students and recent graduates.
Some internship opportunities available at California Northstate University include:
- Clinical internships are offered in healthcare fields, such as medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.
- Research internships are offered in a variety of fields, such as biology, chemistry, and engineering.
- Administrative internships are offered in departments, such as admissions, marketing, and finance.
Some part-time job opportunities available at California Northstate University include:
- Teaching assistants help professors with grading, lesson planning, and other tasks.
- Tutors can tutor in several subjects, such as math, science, and English.
- Research assistants help professors with research projects.
Placement of California Northstate University
Placement: According to California Northstate University's 2021-2022 employment report, 93% of graduates were employed within 6 months of graduation.
Hiring Companies: The top employers for California Northstate University graduates were:
- Kaiser Permanente
- Dignity Health
- Sutter Health
- Providence Health & Services
- Stanford Health Care
Salaries: The average salary for California Northstate University graduates was \$100,000. The highest-paying majors at California Northstate University were:
- Medicine (average salary: \$200,000)
- Dentistry (average salary: \$175,000)
- Pharmacy (average salary: \$150,000)
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Last updated August 14, 2026