At $5,918/yr net price, California State University-San Bernardino graduates earn $59,977/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,977/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,918 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,672 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,977/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,977/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 54.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,715 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,298/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,311/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,381/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,337/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,250/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $88,739 | $17,963 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $86,356 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $72,214 | $41,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $71,015 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $65,066 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $64,358 | $34,166 |
| Social Work. | Master | $58,503 | $37,400 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $58,221 | $16,906 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $56,867 |
The Risk Factor
54.7% of students at California State University-San Bernardino graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
California State University-San Bernardino gives you a low-cost path to a solid financial return. With a net price under $6,000 a year and median debt around $14,700, you graduate owing less than one year's median earnings. That debt-to-income math is where this school earns its keep.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner, paying roughly double what Social Work does at graduation. Computer Science lands in the middle and beats out Computer Engineering, which is unusual and worth checking before you commit to that path. Social Work carries the lowest debt on the list, but its starting pay sits below the school's overall median, so factor that in if the career draws you. The regional job market around the Inland Empire supports nursing and healthcare demand, which backs up those nursing numbers.
The main risk is finishing. A 54.7% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't complete, and the cheap net price only pays off if you leave with the degree. Retention of about 78% tells you the first-year drop-off is real. Borrow for a program that doesn't finish and you get the debt without the earnings bump.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30k, you pay around $3,300 a year. over $110k, that jumps to roughly $15,250. For low- and middle-income families, the cost stays manageable and the ROI holds. Higher-income families pay close to three times the bottom tier, which narrows the advantage.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing or tech and want to keep debt low while staying near the Inland Empire. Look elsewhere if you want a program not listed here, since there's no earnings data to confirm the payoff, or if graduating on time is a real doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State University-San Bernardino worth the cost?
With a low net price of $5,918 per year and graduates earning $59,977 after 10 years, CSUSB offers solid value for students who complete their degrees. However, the 54.7% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the best paying majors at California State University-San Bernardino?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning around $85,000-$88,000, followed by educational administration at $86,356. Business and computer science graduates earn $71,000-$72,000, making these programs the strongest financial investments at CSUSB.
How much debt do California State University-San Bernardino graduates have?
The median debt is $14,715, which is manageable given the low annual cost. With graduates earning nearly $60,000 after 10 years, most can handle this debt load if they complete their degree.
Does California State University-San Bernardino have good job outcomes?
Graduate earnings of $59,977 after 10 years are reasonable but not exceptional for California's job market. The bigger concern is the low graduation rate, which means many students invest time and money without getting a degree.