California State University-San Bernardino vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than California State University-San Bernardino based on total student enrollment (22,563 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); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or San Francisco State? 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 San Francisco State ($5,231 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Bernardino are 32.6% lower than at San Francisco State University ($15,002 vs. $22,266).
• California State University San Bernardino is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $143 more per year; $8,093.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at California State University-San Bernardino than at San Francisco State University (about $143 more per year; $20,693.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at San Francisco State University (89% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 6.8% larger than aid received by California State University San Bernardino students ($12,996 vs. $12,167).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Francisco State University (1030) is 30 points higher than at California State University-San Bernardino (1000).
• Incoming San Francisco State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 17 at California State University-San Bernardino).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 910/1080; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than California State University-San Bernardino (93.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and San Francisco State? 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).

• San Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than California State University-San Bernardino graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($16,500 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($170 vs. $178).
• More San Francisco State 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.