California State University-San Bernardino vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Bernardino is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($5,231 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 9.3% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($13,600 vs. $15,002).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 594% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $48,069 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.4% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University San Bernardino (about $35,469 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,693.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (89% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 250.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($42,627 vs. $12,167).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Bernardino or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and California State University-San Bernardino.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 130 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Bernardino 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $400 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $26,250 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($16,500 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $272 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($170 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.