California State University-San Bernardino vs. EIU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than EIU based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 8,505 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Eastern Illinois University is in Charleston, IL (Remote Town setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Eastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Eastern Illinois University 14:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. EIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or EIU? 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 EIU ($5,231 vs. $13,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Illinois University are 18.1% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($12,282 vs. $15,002).
• Eastern Illinois University is 69% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $5,586 more per year; $13,679.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Eastern Illinois University (about $4,476 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $16,217.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Illinois University than at California State University San Bernardino (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Illinois University students is 6.5% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($12,960 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. EIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 10 points higher than at EIU (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; Eastern Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; EIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at EIU (3.39).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than EIU (65.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 9.8% at EIU.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and EIU? 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).

• Eastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than EIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $43,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $7,150 lower median loan debt than EIU graduates ($16,500 vs. $23,650).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EIU graduates ($170 vs. $244).
• More EIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.