California State University, Northridge (CSUN), established in 1958, is one of the 23 campuses in the California State University system and the largest in terms of enrollment. It comprises nine colleges, including the College of Business and Economics, the College of Arts, Media, and Communication, the College of Engineering, and the College of Education, offering hundreds of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs.

The campus is well-equipped with facilities, including the Oviatt Library, which spans 21,805 square meters, holds over 1.4 million periodicals and magazines, and has a collection of over one million volumes. The Valley Performing Arts Center is one of the largest and most advanced in the U.S., covering 15,421 square meters, including a three-tiered theater that seats 1,700 people, opened in 2011.

CSUN's unique geographic location, strong film and television programs, and modern architecture have attracted numerous film and television productions, including famous Hollywood shows like "Quincy, M.E.," "The Good Place," and "CSI." CSUN is often referred to as the "backyard of Hollywood" and serves as a talent pool for the film industry, with many alumni achieving stardom, including Academy Award and Emmy Award winner Helen Hunt, "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria, and famous pop singer Paula Abdul.