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 table 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.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Western Illinois 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 Western Illinois University ($5,231 vs. $14,208).
• 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).
• Western Illinois University is 88.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $7,171 more per year; $15,264.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• 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; $20,693.00 vs. $15,264.00).
• 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).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Western Illinois University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 10 points higher than at Western Illinois University (990).
• Incoming Western Illinois University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 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; Western Illinois University 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; Western Illinois University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; Western Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Western Illinois University (71.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 10.3% at Western Illinois University.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Western Illinois 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).

• Western Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (53%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $800 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.