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

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Northridge is larger than California State University-San Bernardino based on total student enrollment (38,313 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 Northridge is in Northridge, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Northridge is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; California State University Northridge 25:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or California State University-Northridge? 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 California State University-Northridge ($5,231 vs. $7,536).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Northridge are 8% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($13,804 vs. $15,002).
• California State University San Bernardino is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Northridge (about $635 more per year; $8,093.00 vs. $7,458.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at California State University Northridge (about $635 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $20,058.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at California State University Northridge (89% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Northridge students is 5.4% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($12,825 vs. $12,167).

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

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Bernardino or California State University-Northridge? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-Northridge and California State University-San Bernardino.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University Northridge (1010) is 10 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming California State University-Northridge students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (19 vs. 17 at California State University-San Bernardino).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; California State University Northridge 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; California State University Northridge 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; California State University-Northridge - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; California State University-Northridge Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at California State University-Northridge (3.38).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than California State University-Northridge (93.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 18% at California State University-Northridge.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and California State University-Northridge? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University Northridge's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University Northridge earn a median of about $700 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,500 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Northridge graduates have a $2,304 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($14,196 vs. $16,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Northridge graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Bernardino graduates ($146 vs. $170).
• More California State University-Northridge graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.