Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks California State University-San Bernardino #44 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. California State University-San Bernardino sits in the 85.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earn about $9,622 more than similar students at comparable institutions. Azimuth ranks California State University-San Bernardino #38 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Students at California State University-San Bernardino earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, a result that holds across the university's business-dominant program mix and its broadly accessible student population. The institution's composite ranking reflects mobility and earnings working together — serving a wide range of students at California State University pricing while delivering outcomes that outpace expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
California State University-San Bernardino prices accessibly across the income spectrum, making it one of the more affordable options in the Azimuth coverage set. Low-income families pay approximately $2,681 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $4,735, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at approximately $14,316. Azimuth ranks California State University-San Bernardino #36 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay reflects the net price illusion that often makes public universities more accessible than their published costs suggest. Need-based aid plays a meaningful role in shaping what students pay. California State University-San Bernardino offers work-study as part of its aid structure, per the financial aid page, alongside institutional scholarships available through its Scholarship Search Center and named scholarship programs. These resources help close the gap between the published cost of attendance of $17,427 and the net prices families actually pay. Students and families are encouraged to apply early for need-based aid using the FAFSA, as award availability can shift across the academic year. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $14,715, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,441, median federal debt of $14,715 projects to a monthly payment of about $166 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
California State University-San Bernardino is a strong fit for students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds who want an accessible public university in CA with a clear path to solid post-graduation earnings — particularly those drawn to business, health, or applied professional fields. Graduates earn in the 30.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and California State University-San Bernardino sits in the 85.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — graduates earn about $9,622 more than similar students at comparable institutions, a meaningful signal for students weighing long-term return on investment. The institution enrolls a large share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 57.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 59.7% are first-generation — and the aid structure is oriented toward closing the gap for cost-sensitive families. The Undocumented Student Success Center, named on the institution's student services page, signals additional infrastructure for students navigating complex access circumstances. Median student debt at graduation is $14,715, and the net price for higher-income families is $14,316. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Business and adjacent applied fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes. Students seeking a broad research-university program mix or highly competitive graduate-school pipelines may find a better match elsewhere.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the California State University-San Bernardino hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Azimuth ranks California State University-San Bernardino #45 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 97.0 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 79.6% and a six-year graduation rate of 54.9%. Return on investment ranks #914, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $55,441. Graduates earn about $9,622 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 85.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 97.5 percentile; published cost of attendance is $17,427, and the middle-income net price is $4,735. Access sits in the 94.8 percentile, with 57.6% receiving Pell Grants and 59.7% first-generation.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State University-San Bernardino prices accessibly across the income spectrum, making it one of the more affordable options in the Azimuth coverage set. Low-income families pay approximately $2,681 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $4,735, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at approximately $14,316.
Azimuth ranks California State University-San Bernardino #36 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay reflects the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) that often makes public universities more accessible than their published costs suggest.
Need-based aid plays a meaningful role in shaping what students pay. California State University-San Bernardino offers work-study as part of its aid structure, per the financial aid page, alongside institutional scholarships available through its Scholarship Search Center and named scholarship programs.
These resources help close the gap between the published cost of attendance of $17,427 and the net prices families actually pay. Students and families are encouraged to apply early for need-based aid using the FAFSA, as award availability can shift across the academic year.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $14,715, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $12,000; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $55,441, median federal debt of $14,715 projects to a monthly payment of about $166 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of California State University-San Bernardino earn median 4-year earnings of $55,441, placing California State University-San Bernardino in the 30.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,622 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 85.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks California State University-San Bernardino #914 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 686 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $56,361, ranked #216 nationally in its major. Psychology, General reports 536 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $48,326, ranked #162 nationally in its major.
Sociology reports 277 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $48,954, ranked #93 nationally in its major. Criminal Justice and Corrections reports 238 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $54,275, ranked #75 nationally in its major.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
117 graduates
Computer Engineering, General
33 graduates
Computer Science
79 graduates
Forensic Social Work
43 graduates
Artificial Intelligence
140 graduates
California State University-San Bernardino's program mix is anchored in Business, which accounts for 18% of degree output — a concentration that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile. Social Sciences represents 10% of graduates and Arts accounts for 4%, rounding out a portfolio weighted toward applied professional fields.
Business Administration is the program that combines the largest cohort scale with strong earnings, making it the single biggest contributor to the university's aggregate financial outcomes. Across 36 programs serving roughly 3,790 students annually, 29 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold.
Among the largest programs, Business Administration program graduates 686 students annually with median earnings of $56,361 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #221 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The Psychology, General program graduates 536 students with median earnings of $48,326, and Azimuth ranks it #127 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Sociology (277 graduates, $48,954 in median earnings) and Criminal Justice (238 graduates, $54,275) represent the next-largest cohorts. On the earnings side, Artificial Intelligence leads with median earnings of $66,202 four years after enrollment from a cohort of 140 graduates, and Azimuth ranks the program #178 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Business Administration follows at $56,361 with 686 graduates. The earnings range across programs reflects California State University-San Bernardino's applied-professional orientation.
Higher-earning fields like Artificial Intelligence and Kinesiology ($54,944 in median earnings from 205 graduates) channel students into direct-to-workforce careers where four-year earnings capture real labor-market outcomes. Programs like General Studies (223 graduates, $52,799) are more likely grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount the full trajectory for students who continue to graduate or professional study.
The [supply-demand map for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides additional context for how the institution's dominant program families align with regional and national hiring demand, and the [program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/) explains how Azimuth evaluates programs nationally.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Francisco State University Similar quality tier in West (#2103 ranked) | CA | 96% | $68,077 | #2103 | Compare |
California State University-Dominguez Hills Similar quality tier in West (#2104 ranked) | CA | 93% | $57,162 | #2104 | Compare |
Cuny City College Similar quality tier (#2100 ranked) | NY | 60% | $66,039 | #2100 | Compare |
Cuny Lehman College Similar quality tier (#2106 ranked) | NY | 57% | $58,013 | #2106 | Compare |
Georgia State University Similar quality tier (#2099 ranked) | GA | 55% | $47,384 | #2099 | Compare |
