California State University-San Bernardino vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Governors State University 11:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or GSU? 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 GSU ($5,231 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 21.8% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,736 vs. $15,002).
• Governors State University is 48.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $3,911 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.4% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Governors State University (about $8,689 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Governors State University (89% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($12,167 vs. $11,455).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. GSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 50 points higher than at GSU (950).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; Governors State University 830/1060.
• 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; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman GSU students have a 0.59 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 16.8% at GSU.

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

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

• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($16,500 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($170 vs. $178).
• More California State University-San Bernardino graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 48%)

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.