California State University-San Bernardino vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Bernardino is larger than WKU based on total student enrollment (18,492 students vs. 16,291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Bernardino is located in San Bernardino, CA (Midsize City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• California State University San Bernardino is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Bernardino 22:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

California State University-San Bernardino vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Bernardino or WKU? 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 WKU ($5,231 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 16.1% lower than at California State University San Bernardino ($12,582 vs. $15,002).
• Western Kentucky University is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Bernardino (about $3,559 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,093.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at WKU than at California State University San Bernardino (about $6,307 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,693.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at California State University San Bernardino (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Bernardino students is 11.4% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,167 vs. $10,921).

California State University-San Bernardino vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Bernardino (1000) is 50 points higher than at WKU (950).
• Incoming WKU 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; Western Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Bernardino 15/20; Western Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Bernardino - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Bernardino Nov 30, 2026; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WKU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at California State University-San Bernardino (3.41).
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) 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. 30.2% at WKU.

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

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

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University San Bernardino's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University San Bernardino earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,800 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Bernardino graduates have a $7,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($16,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Bernardino graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($170 vs. $250).
• More California State University-San Bernardino graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 47%)

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.