California State University-San Bernardino: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
San Bernardino, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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California State University-San Bernardino is a public university in San Bernardino, California that admits about 94% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $4,564 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 53% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State University-San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-San Bernardino admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 94%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1000. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $4,564 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State University-San Bernardino?
59% of enrolled students at California State University-San Bernardino had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.39, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does California State University-San Bernardino weight in admissions?
California State University-San Bernardino reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Geographical residence
SAT and ACT scores California State University-San Bernardino typically admits
Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 890 |
| 50th percentile | 1000 |
| 75th percentile | 1130 |
| % submitting SAT | 15% |
| 25th percentile | 17 |
| 50th percentile | 21 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 1% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Recommended
How much does California State University-San Bernardino actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,093 for in-state students and $20,693 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,002 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $4,564 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 58% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,450 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,778 |
| Room and board | $16,180 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $4,564 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-San Bernardino
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
Will my child graduate from California State University-San Bernardino?
These predict outcomes at California State University-San Bernardino better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State University-San Bernardino
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-San Bernardino, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology. Across all programs, California State University-San Bernardino confers roughly 2,464 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $58,118 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 686 | $58,118 |
| Psychology, General | 536 | $46,874 |
| Sociology | 277 | $49,287 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 238 | $54,814 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 223 | $55,231 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 205 | $56,489 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 150 | $48,810 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 149 | $37,159 |
Is California State University-San Bernardino safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-San Bernardino disclosed 27 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 1 violent offenses and 4 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at California State University-San Bernardino?
About 7% of undergraduates at California State University-San Bernardino live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 2% of men join a fraternity and 2% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-Dominguez Hills93% acceptance
- California State University-Stanislaus98% acceptance
- California State University-Bakersfield94% acceptance
- California State University-Monterey Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Marcos95% acceptance
- California State University-Channel Islands95% acceptance
- Art Center College of Design75% acceptance
- California Institute of the Arts32% acceptance
Next steps for California State University-San Bernardino
Common questions parents ask about California State University-San Bernardino
What GPA do I need for California State University-San Bernardino?
59% of enrolled students at California State University-San Bernardino had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.39, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does California State University-San Bernardino typically admit?
California State University-San Bernardino does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does California State University-San Bernardino actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-San Bernardino after grants and scholarships is $4,564 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,093 and $20,693 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State University-San Bernardino realistic for my child?
California State University-San Bernardino admits 94% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $4,564 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Bernardino?
California State University-San Bernardino accepts about 94% of applicants out of roughly 14,947 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is California State University-San Bernardino test-optional?
Yes. California State University-San Bernardino is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-San Bernardino?
About 53% of students at California State University-San Bernardino graduate within six years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does California State University-San Bernardino look for in applicants?
California State University-San Bernardino rates GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is California State University-San Bernardino a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-San Bernardino?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-San Bernardino by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Sociology. The school awards about 2,464 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State University-San Bernardino safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-San Bernardino reported 27 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at California State University-San Bernardino?
At California State University-San Bernardino, 7% of undergraduates live on campus, 2% of men are in fraternities, 2% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-San Bernardino, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers