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Cal State San Bernardino: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Officially California State University-San Bernardino · San Bernardino, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-blind
  • Early Action
14,947
Applicants
14,095
Admitted94%
2,162
Enrolled
15%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Open access94% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Median SAT
1000
Mid 50: 890–1130
In-state tuition
$6,450
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$4,564
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #17 (tie) in Regional Universities West; Business Programs #301 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #82 (tie), Computer Science #276 (tie), Nursing #195 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by California State University-San Bernardino (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.

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Quick answer

Cal State 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.

Cal State San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino?

59% of enrolled students at Cal State 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.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
14.5%
3.75–3.99
14.9%
3.50–3.74
16.8%
3.25–3.49
13.1%
3.00–3.24
15.5%
2.50–2.99
21.2%
Below 2.50
4.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-San Bernardino.
Calculate your child's GPA →Is a 3.4 GPA good? See every college where freshmen average 3.4

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What does Cal State San Bernardino weight in admissions?

Cal State San Bernardino reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

2
  • Academic GPA
  • Standardized test scores

Important

1
  • Geographical residence

Not Considered

15
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Class rank
  • Application essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • First generation status
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Level of applicant's interest

How Cal State San Bernardino reads an application: what each weighting means for your child, plus waitlist, transfer and early-round odds

SAT and ACT scores Cal State 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.

SAT Composite
25th percentile890
50th percentile1000
75th percentile1130
% submitting SAT15%
ACT Composite
25th percentile17
50th percentile21
75th percentile26
% submitting ACT1%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-blind: Cal State San Bernardino does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
  • • CSU campus: SAT/ACT not required and not used for admission; may help course placement.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Cal State San Bernardino's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

How much does Cal State 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, and that is 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
Required fees$2,122
Room and board$16,180
Average net price (after aid)$4,564
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need59%
Average need-based grant$12,727
Average merit award, no financial need5 first-year students received one$11,738
Graduates who borrowed35%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$17,857
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$70 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Cal State San Bernardino

Regular admission
Reply deadlineNo set date
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes

Will my child graduate from Cal State San Bernardino?

These predict outcomes at Cal State San Bernardino better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
80.26%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
24.9%
finished on time
6-year graduation
53%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Cal State San Bernardino

The most popular undergraduate programs at Cal State 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, Cal State 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

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business Administration, Management and Operations686$58,118
Psychology, General536$46,874
Sociology277$49,287
Criminal Justice and Corrections238$54,814
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities223$55,231
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness205$56,489
Communication and Media Studies150$48,810
English Language and Literature, General149$37,159
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Cal State San Bernardino safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Cal State 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

Total offenses
27
1.8 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
1
0.07 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
4
0.27 per 1,000
Burglary
5
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 15,023 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Cal State San Bernardino?

About 7% of undergraduates at Cal State 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.

Live on campus
7%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
31%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
4%
of course sections
In fraternities
2%
of men
In sororities
2%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-San Bernardino.

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Common questions parents ask about Cal State San Bernardino

What GPA do I need for Cal State San Bernardino?

59% of enrolled students at Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino typically admit?

Cal State San Bernardino is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.

How much does Cal State San Bernardino actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino realistic for my child?

Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino?

Cal State San Bernardino accepts about 94% of applicants out of roughly 14,947 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Cal State San Bernardino test-optional?

Cal State San Bernardino is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.

What is the graduation rate at Cal State San Bernardino?

About 53% of students at Cal State San Bernardino graduate within six years, and 25% finish in four years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

What does Cal State San Bernardino look for in applicants?

Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino a public or private school, and where is it located?

Cal State San Bernardino is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California.

What are the most popular majors at Cal State San Bernardino?

The largest undergraduate majors at Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Cal State 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 Cal State San Bernardino?

At Cal State 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