Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. California State University-San Bernardino

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Arkansas University Main Campus in Magnolia, AR with California State University San Bernardino in San Bernardino, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Bernardino is larger than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 4,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is located in Magnolia, AR (Remote Town setting); California State University San Bernardino is in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 16:1; California State University San Bernardino 22:1.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. California State University-San Bernardino Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or California State University-San Bernardino? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ($5,231 vs. $13,442).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus are 47.3% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($7,911 vs. $15,002).
• Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is 23.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $1,867 more per year; $9,960.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.9% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (about $5,003 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $15,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus than at California State University San Bernardino (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 5.3% larger than aid received by Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students ($12,167 vs. $11,552).

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. California State University-San Bernardino Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus or California State University-San Bernardino? 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 California State University-San Bernardino and Southern Arkansas University Main Campus.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 10 points higher than at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (990).
• Incoming Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 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: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 875/1105; California State University San Bernardino 910/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus 17/24; California State University San Bernardino 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus - Required; California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Aug 27, 2027; California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus vs. California State University-San Bernardino Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Arkansas University Main Campus and California State University-San Bernardino? 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 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus's (34%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $37,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $520 lower median loan debt than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($16,500 vs. $17,020).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern Arkansas University Main Campus graduates ($170 vs. $175).
• More California State University-San Bernardino graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Arkansas University Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 44%)

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.