California State University-San Bernardino vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or MSU? 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 MSU ($5,231 vs. $11,215).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 25.8% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,124 vs. $15,002).
• Midwestern State University is 30.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $2,487 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.1% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at Midwestern State University (about $8,163 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at California State University San Bernardino (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($12,167 vs. $11,037).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Midwestern State University (1010) is 10 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming MSU 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; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; MSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at MSU (3.2).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than MSU (93.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 12.9% at MSU.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and MSU? 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 San Bernardino's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $5,799 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($16,500 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($170 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Bernardino students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.