California State University-San Bernardino vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University ($5,231 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 25.7% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($11,150 vs. $15,002).
• Tennessee State University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $523 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Tennessee State University than at California State University San Bernardino (about $1,723 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $20,693.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Bernardino than at Tennessee State University (89% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 25.9% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($12,167 vs. $9,661).

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

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 30 points higher than at Tennessee State University (970).
• Incoming Tennessee State University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 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; Tennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; Tennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Tennessee State University - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Bernardino students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Tennessee State University (3.22).
• California State University-San Bernardino has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at California State University-San Bernardino vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Bernardino and Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($16,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($170 vs. $289).
• More California State University-San Bernardino graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee 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.