California State University-San Bernardino vs. Southwest Minnesota State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than Southwest Minnesota State University based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 8,214 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Southwest Minnesota State University is in Marshall, MN (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwest Minnesota State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Southwest Minnesota State University 16:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Southwest Minnesota State 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 Southwest Minnesota State University ($5,231 vs. $15,547).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 26.5% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,028 vs. $15,002).
• Southwest Minnesota State University is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $2,268 more per year; $10,361.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.7% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Southwest Minnesota State University (about $10,332 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $10,361.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Minnesota State University than at California State University San Bernardino (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 40.3% larger than aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students ($12,167 vs. $8,674).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwest Minnesota State University (1020) is 20 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming Southwest Minnesota State University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 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; Southwest Minnesota State University 935/1102.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; Southwest Minnesota State University 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; Southwest Minnesota State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; Southwest Minnesota State University Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Southwest Minnesota State University (62.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 22.2% at Southwest Minnesota State University.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Southwest Minnesota State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Southwest Minnesota State 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 Southwest Minnesota State University's (39%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $5,178 lower median loan debt than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($16,500 vs. $21,678).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates ($170 vs. $224).
• More Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.