California State University-San Bernardino vs. California State University-Fresno

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA with California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Fresno is larger than California State University-San Bernardino based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 18,492 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Fresno is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; California State University Fresno 22:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. California State University-Fresno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or California State University-Fresno? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Bernardino than California State University-Fresno ($5,231 vs. $7,834).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 20.3% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,960 vs. $15,002).
• California State University San Bernardino is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $743 more per year; $8,093.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at California State University Fresno (about $743 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at California State University Fresno (89% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 1.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($12,326 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. California State University-Fresno Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Bernardino or California State University-Fresno? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-Fresno and California State University-San Bernardino.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is the same as at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming California State University-Fresno students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at California State University-San Bernardino).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; California State University Fresno 890/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; California State University Fresno 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; California State University-Fresno - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• California State University-Fresno has a higher acceptance rate (95.3%) than California State University-San Bernardino (93.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 17.5% at California State University-Fresno.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. California State University-Fresno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and California State University-Fresno? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $300 more per year than California State University-Fresno graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($155 vs. $170).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (63% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.