Cal State San Bernardino vs San Francisco State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D2 programs in the CCAA. Cal State San Bernardino runs $4,708 less per year out of state; Cal State San Bernardino graduates 5 points more of its students.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Cal State San Bernardino if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Cal State San Bernardino lists $4,708 less per year in tuition and housing than San Francisco State.
- Finishing the degree is the priority: Cal State San Bernardino graduates 5 percentage points more of its students than San Francisco State.
Lean San Francisco State if…
- You would be in-state: San Francisco State is $251 cheaper per year on published in-state tuition than Cal State San Bernardino.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 4 camps at San Francisco State against none listed at Cal State San Bernardino.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Cal State San Bernardino | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,675 | $7,424 — San Francisco State leads on this measure: lower published in-state tuition |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $19,555 | $19,304 |
| Room & board | $12,996 — Cal State San Bernardino leads on this measure: lower room & board | $17,955 |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $20,671 — Cal State San Bernardino leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost | $25,379 |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $32,551 — Cal State San Bernardino leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost | $37,259 |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Cal State San Bernardino | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 55% — Cal State San Bernardino leads on this measure: higher share of students finishing their degree | 50% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | — | $68,077/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | — | $15,371 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | — | 23% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Cal State San Bernardino | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | — | 96% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 18,925 | 23,908 |
| Where it is | San Bernardino, CA | San Francisco, CA |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Cal State San Bernardino | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Dee Payan | Alicia Reid |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Cal State San Bernardino | San Francisco State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | — | 4 listed (4 with dates) |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division II, so the scholarship rules are identical: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Cal State San Bernardino
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
San Francisco State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- Prospect Camp | August 22nd08/22/2026 · 7th Grade - College Senior · $160
- Prospect Camp | September 12th09/12/2026 · 7th Grade - College Senior · $160
- Prospect Camp | November 14th11/14/2026 · 7th Grade - College Senior · $160
- Prospect Camp | December 12th12/12/2026 · 7th Grade - College Senior · $160
Cal State San Bernardino vs San Francisco State: common questions
- Is Cal State San Bernardino or San Francisco State cheaper?
- On published price, Cal State San Bernardino is cheaper — about $32,551 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $37,259 at San Francisco State. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Cal State San Bernardino or San Francisco State?
- Cal State San Bernardino, at 55% against 50% at San Francisco State (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Cal State San Bernardino and San Francisco State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division II: 7.2 (equivalency). Full athletic rides are rare at D2. With 7.2 equivalencies spread across a roster, nearly every scholarship is partial — but athletic aid stacks with academic and need-based aid.
- Do Cal State San Bernardino and San Francisco State run softball camps?
- We track 4 camps at San Francisco State and none currently listed at Cal State San Bernardino. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Cal State San Bernardino and San Francisco State?
- Both programs run a recruiting questionnaire, and that is the right first move — it is exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit it at any age. Fill out both, then follow with an email to each staff.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Cal State San Bernardino and San Francisco State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
Start freeOther comparisons worth making
Cal State San Bernardino vs Cal State San Marcos
D2 · CCAA
Cal State San Bernardino vs Chico State
D2 · CCAA
Cal State San Bernardino vs Cal State Dominguez Hills
D2 · CCAA
San Francisco State vs Cal State San Marcos
D2 · CCAA
San Francisco State vs Cal State Dominguez Hills
D2 · CCAA
San Francisco State vs Cal State East Bay
D2 · CCAA