California State University-San Bernardino vs. Western Illinois University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA with Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University San Bernardino is larger than Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 6,332 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Western Illinois University is in Macomb, IL (Remote Town setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Western Illinois University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 24.5% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,320 vs. $15,002).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.6% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Western Illinois University (about $5,429 more per year; $20,693 vs. $15,264).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Western Illinois University (89% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 23.2% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($14,994 vs. $12,167).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Western Illinois University than at California State University-San Bernardino (21 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-San Bernardino and Western Illinois University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Western Illinois University average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $8,204 lower median loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates ($16,500 vs. $24,704).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Illinois University graduates ($170 vs. $255).
• More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation (61% vs. 51%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.