CSM vs. San Bernardino Valley College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of San Mateo in San Mateo, CA with San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Bernardino Valley College is larger than CSM based on total student enrollment (14,055 students vs. 9,901 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• College of San Mateo is located in San Mateo, CA (Small City setting); San Bernardino Valley College is in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting).
• College of San Mateo is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. San Bernardino Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of San Mateo 24:1; San Bernardino Valley College 25:1.

CSM vs. San Bernardino Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSM or San Bernardino Valley College? 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 College of San Mateo than San Bernardino Valley College ($5,831 vs. $19,091).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Bernardino Valley College are 36.1% lower than at College of San Mateo ($20,000 vs. $31,288).
• College of San Mateo is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Bernardino Valley College (about $136 more per year; $1,332.00 vs. $1,196.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at San Bernardino Valley College than at College of San Mateo (about $2,998 more per year; $14,382.00 vs. $11,384.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of San Mateo than at San Bernardino Valley College (80% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of San Mateo students is 17.4% larger than aid received by San Bernardino Valley College students ($4,386 vs. $3,735).

CSM vs. San Bernardino Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSM or San Bernardino Valley College? 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 San Bernardino Valley College and CSM.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSM - Open admission; San Bernardino Valley College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Bernardino Valley College Aug 29, 2027.

CSM vs. San Bernardino Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSM and San Bernardino Valley College? 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 College of San Mateo earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than San Bernardino Valley College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $31,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More CSM graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Bernardino Valley College students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 28%)

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.