California State University-San Bernardino vs. Bowie State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than Bowie State University based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 6,353 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Bowie State University is in Bowie, MD (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bowie State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Bowie State University 15:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Bowie State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Bowie 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 Bowie State University ($5,231 vs. $17,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bowie State University are 18.4% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($12,241 vs. $15,002).
• Bowie State University is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $1,125 more per year; $9,218.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Bowie State University (about $755 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $19,938.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Bowie State University (89% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 78.4% larger than aid received by Bowie State University students ($12,167 vs. $6,819).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Bowie State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 60 points higher than at Bowie State University (940).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; Bowie State University 796/1083.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; Bowie State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; Bowie State University May 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Bowie State University (3.12).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Bowie State University (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 27.3% at Bowie State University.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. Bowie State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Bowie 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 Bowie State University's (41%).
• Graduates from Bowie State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,500 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $7,891 lower median loan debt than Bowie State University graduates ($16,500 vs. $24,391).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bowie State University graduates ($170 vs. $252).
• More California State University-San Bernardino graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bowie State University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 29%)

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.