California State University-San Bernardino vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University ($5,231 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 10.5% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($13,431 vs. $15,002).
• La Sierra University is 366% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $29,617 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.2% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University San Bernardino (about $17,017 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,693.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University San Bernardino (98% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 127.2% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($27,646 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is 10 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $13,500 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($16,500 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($170 vs. $310).
• More La Sierra University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.