California State University-San Bernardino vs. Samuel Merritt University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than Samuel Merritt University based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 1,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Samuel Merritt University is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Samuel Merritt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Samuel Merritt University 5:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Samuel Merritt University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Samuel Merritt University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between California State University San Bernardino and Samuel Merritt University ($8,093.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between California State University-San Bernardino and Samuel Merritt University ($20,693.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Samuel Merritt University (89% vs. 0%).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Samuel Merritt University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080.
• 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; Samuel Merritt University - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Samuel Merritt University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Samuel Merritt 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).

• Graduates from Samuel Merritt University earn a median of about $63,900 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($110,700 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Samuel Merritt University graduates ($16,500 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Samuel Merritt University graduates ($170 vs. $193).
• More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.