California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State LA

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than California State University-San Bernardino based on total student enrollment (23,163 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 Los Angeles is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; California State University Los Angeles 21:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Cal State LA? 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 Los Angeles than California State University-San Bernardino ($4,460 vs. $5,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Bernardino are 23.8% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($15,002 vs. $19,696).
• California State University San Bernardino is 13% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $933 more per year; $8,093.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at California State University Los Angeles (about $933 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at California State University San Bernardino (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 13.6% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($13,824 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State LA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Bernardino or Cal State LA? 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 Cal State LA and California State University-San Bernardino.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 30 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming California State University-San Bernardino students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at Cal State LA (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; California State University Los Angeles 870/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; California State University Los Angeles 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; Cal State LA - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 9.4% at Cal State LA.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Cal State LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Cal State LA? 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 San Bernardino's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $100 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $3,580 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($12,920 vs. $16,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($133 vs. $170).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.