California State University-San Bernardino vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Norfolk State University is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Norfolk State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Norfolk State University 15:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or NSU? 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 NSU ($5,231 vs. $9,124).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 22.7% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,591 vs. $15,002).
• Norfolk State University is 25.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $2,087 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at NSU than at California State University San Bernardino (about $989 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $20,693.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Norfolk State University (89% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 23.7% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($15,056 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 70 points higher than at NSU (930).
• Incoming NSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 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; Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; Norfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.51 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at NSU (2.9).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 13.2% at NSU.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $14,500 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($16,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $150 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($170 vs. $320).
• More California State University-San Bernardino graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 27%)

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.