California State University-San Bernardino vs. California State University-Fresno

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fresno is larger than California State University-San Bernardino based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 18,492 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 20.3% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,960 vs. $15,002).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at California State University Fresno (about $743 more per year; $20,693 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at California State University Fresno (89% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 1.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($12,326 vs. $12,167).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State University-Fresno than at California State University-San Bernardino (18 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-San Bernardino and California State University-Fresno.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State University-San Bernardino average a 3.41 high school GPA, 0.29 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 17.5% at California State University-Fresno.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($155 vs. $170).
• More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 51%).

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