• Matador Statue in front of Oviatt Library

CSUN: 1958 and Beyond

Explore the tradition and rich history of
California State University, Northridge

Since 1958, California State University, Northridge has been elevating Los Angeles and beyond. The university’s commitment to student success, inclusive excellence and service to the community has made it a national model for institutions of higher learning. CSUN’s history began as San Fernando Valley State College in portable classrooms on former agricultural land and has evolved into the second-largest public master’s university in the nation.

As of 2020, more than 370,000 alumni serve as the economic spark for Southern California and beyond. CSUN graduates more than 11,000 students annually, who go on to lead industries as varied as tech, entertainment, business, education, the arts, health and science. CSUN has catapulted Matador students and alumni to create social change, make new discoveries and better our world.

Land Acknowledgement:

CSUN recognizes and acknowledges the Sesevitam, the first people of this ancestral and unceded territory of Sesevenga — which is now occupied by our institution. It honors their elders, past and present, and the Sesevitam descendants, who are citizens of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. We recognize that the Sesevitam are still here, and we are committed to lifting up their stories, culture and community.


1958-1967