California State University, San Bernardino Admissions 2026: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

California State University, San Bernardino Admissions 2026: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

San Bernardino, CaliforniaLocation
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Oct 30, 2026

California State University, San Bernardino admissions run on a dual-intake system with rolling review, where UG entry needs Class XII at 60 percent plus IELTS 5.5 and PG entry needs a Bachelor’s at a 2.5 GPA (around 60 percent) plus IELTS 6.0.

  • Next live deadline: June 1, 2027 for the Fall 2027 primary intake
  • Base tuition: USD 16,417 (around INR 15.65 Lakhs) a year for graduate, application fee USD 70 (around INR 6,672)
  • Eligibility floor: UG Class XII 60 percent with IELTS 5.5, PG Bachelor’s 60 percent with IELTS 6.0
  • Acceptance rate: estimated 91 percent, based on third-party admit-pattern data

Popular programs include MS Computer Science, MBA, and MS Cybersecurity and Analytics, with Indian students valuing CSUSB’s affordable Cal State tuition and accessible admission floor. See the California State University, San Bernardino overview before applying.

Admission Status: Open. The Fall 2027 primary intake is open through June 1, 2027 with a document deadline of June 30, 2027. The Spring 2027 window closes on November 1, 2026, so Indian applicants targeting January 2027 must act now. The application fee is USD 70 (around INR 6,672).

Table of Contents

  1. California State University, San Bernardino Application Deadlines
  2. California State University, San Bernardino Eligibility Requirements
  3. California State University, San Bernardino PG Programs
  4. California State University, San Bernardino UG Programs
  5. California State University, San Bernardino MBA Admissions
  6. California State University, San Bernardino Application Process
  7. California State University, San Bernardino Admission Decisions
  8. California State University, San Bernardino Documents Required
  9. California State University, San Bernardino Acceptance Rate
  10. USA F-1 Student Visa for California State University, San Bernardino
  11. Tips for California State University, San Bernardino Admissions
  12. California State University, San Bernardino Admissions Checklist
  13. California State University, San Bernardino Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions

California State University, San Bernardino Application Deadlines

CSUSB opens two intakes a year, Fall (primary, August entry) and Spring (secondary, January entry). The official CSUSB document deadlines page lists both the application close and the document deadline, which falls one month later. Missing the document deadline voids the application.

Currency note: All INR figures in this article use USD 1 = INR 95.31 (August 2026). Live rates may vary, so confirm with your bank before remitting.

CSUSB’s primary intake for Indian students is Fall (August), where most programs open, including MS Computer Science and the MBA.

IntakeLevelApp OpensDeadlineApp FeePortal
Spring 2027 (Jan)UG + PGJuly 1, 2026November 1, 2026USD 70 (around INR 6,672)CSUSB international
Fall 2027 (Aug), Primary intakeUG + PGAugust 1, 2026June 1, 2027USD 70 (around INR 6,672)CSUSB international

Document deadlines fall one month after each application close: Spring 2027 documents by November 30, 2026 and Fall 2027 documents by June 30, 2027.

Planning note: Spring 2027 closes on November 1, 2026, which is only days away. Indian applicants aiming for January 2027 entry must have the IELTS score and sealed transcripts ready this week.


California State University, San Bernardino Eligibility Requirements

CSUSB uses a transparent eligibility floor with two layers, academic thresholds and English proficiency. The bar is set by level (UG, graduate, MBA) and some graduate programs raise it further on their own program pages.

  • UG general entry: Class XII at 60 percent or above with required subject prerequisites
  • PG general entry: Bachelor’s with a 2.5 US GPA (around 60 percent Indian scale)
  • GRE/GMAT: Not required for most graduate programs, including MS Computer Science and the MBA
  • Credential evaluation: Sealed official transcripts required, WES evaluation recommended but not mandatory

California State University, San Bernardino English Proficiency Floor

CSUSB publishes both the legacy TOEFL iBT scale (0 to 120) and the new scale (1 to 6). Scores from before January 21, 2026 use the legacy scale, and later scores use the 1 to 6 scale.

LevelIELTSTOEFL iBTDuolingoPTE
Undergraduate5.5619543
Graduate standard6.07910553
MBA / MPA / MSA6.5Not specified110Not specified
Communication (MA)6.590Not specifiedNot specified
Post-graduate (doctoral)7.0100120Not specified

California State University, San Bernardino IELTS Waiver

CSUSB waives English proficiency when the applicant’s Bachelor’s degree was completed at an institution where the official medium of instruction (MOI) is English. Most Indian universities qualify under this rule, and applicants can submit an MOI letter from the university registrar in place of IELTS or TOEFL.


California State University, San Bernardino PG Programs

CSUSB’s graduate catalogue runs across the Jack H. Brown College of Business, the College of Natural Sciences, and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Most Indian applicants target MS Computer Science, MS Cybersecurity and Analytics, and the MBA.

Base tuition for graduate international students is USD 16,417 (around INR 15.65 Lakhs) a year, with MBA, MSA, and MS Information Systems and Technology at USD 20,269 (around INR 19.32 Lakhs). See the course-wise fees breakdown for program-level numbers.

ProgrammeDurationMinimum EligibilityEnglish Req. Min.
MS Computer Science2 yearsBachelor’s in CS or related with 2.5 GPA (around 60 percent)IELTS 6.0
MS Cybersecurity and Analytics2 yearsBachelor’s with 2.5 GPA, CS or quantitative background preferredIELTS 6.0
MS National Cyber Security Studies2 yearsBachelor’s with 2.5 GPAIELTS 6.0
MPH2 yearsBachelor’s with 2.5 GPA in health or science fieldIELTS 6.0
MS Health Services Administration2 yearsBachelor’s with 2.5 GPAIELTS 6.0
MA Criminal Justice2 yearsBachelor’s with 2.5 GPA in CJ or relatedIELTS 6.0
MS Nursing2 yearsBSN with RN licensure and 3.0 GPAIELTS 7.0

Note: Program-specific entry requirements, fees, and intake availability may differ from the institution-wide minimums shown above. Always confirm on the official CSUSB graduate admissions page for your chosen program before applying.


California State University, San Bernardino UG Programs

CSUSB’s undergraduate international entry runs through the Jack H. Brown College of Business, the College of Natural Sciences, and the College of Health and Human Services. UG tuition is USD 20,359 (around INR 19.40 Lakhs) a year including non-resident surcharges.

ProgrammeDurationMinimum EligibilityEnglish Req. Min.
BS Computer Science4 yearsClass XII with Mathematics, 60 percent or aboveIELTS 5.5
BS Bioinformatics4 yearsClass XII with Biology and Mathematics, 60 percentIELTS 5.5
BS Information Systems and Technology4 yearsClass XII with Mathematics, 60 percentIELTS 5.5
BS Kinesiology Allied Health Professions4 yearsClass XII with Biology, 60 percentIELTS 5.5
BS Nursing (RN to BSN Bridge)2 years bridgeActive RN licence with prior nursing trainingIELTS 5.5

Insider note: CSUSB UG admission is credential based, so a 60 percent in Class XII with the right subject prerequisites usually gets you in, with no SAT needed for most Indian applicants.


California State University, San Bernardino MBA Admissions

The CSUSB MBA runs out of Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration. Two variants are open to Indian applicants, the standard Full-time MBA and the MBA Professionals Option for working candidates.

California State University, San Bernardino MBA Eligibility

Entry needs a four-year Bachelor’s with a 2.5 US GPA (around 60 percent Indian scale) and IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110. GMAT is not required for AACSB-accredited Bachelor’s degrees or applicants meeting the formula score.

  • Full-time MBA: No minimum work experience required
  • MBA Professionals Option: Two years of professional work experience required
  • Application fee: USD 70 (around INR 6,672)
  • Tuition: USD 20,269 (around INR 19.32 Lakhs) a year

California State University, San Bernardino MBA Deadlines

The MBA uses the standard CSUSB cycle: Fall 2027 closes June 1, 2027 and Spring 2027 closes November 1, 2026. Interviews, when conducted, are held by the MBA office after an initial application review and are not required for every file.


California State University, San Bernardino Application Process

The CSUSB international application is a single online portal with no third-party aggregator. Indian applicants complete it directly through the Center for International Studies and Programs.

  1. Visit the CSUSB international admissions portal and create an account
  2. Pick your intake (Fall or Spring) and your target program
  3. Fill in academic history, program choice, and English test details
  4. Upload transcripts, SOP, LORs, and financial proof as scanned PDFs
  5. Pay the application fee of USD 70 (around INR 6,672) on the CSUSB international admissions portal
  6. Submit and courier sealed official transcripts to the CSUSB admissions office
  7. Track the decision in the applicant portal, usually within four to eight weeks
  • Portal uptime: Available 24x7, but admissions office responds on weekdays
  • Document uploads: PDF only, 10 MB per file maximum
  • Sealed transcripts: Must reach CSUSB by the document deadline, one month after application close

California State University, San Bernardino Admission Decisions

CSUSB decisions typically arrive four to eight weeks after the completed-file date, when the file has every sealed transcript and English score on hand. The decision letter arrives in the applicant portal and by email.

  • Offer type: Conditional offer first (pending final transcript and English score), then unconditional once documents clear
  • Acceptance deadline: Two weeks from the offer date to accept and request the I-20
  • I-20 release: Issued within 10 to 14 business days of accepted offer and cleared financial proof
  • Deferral: Allowed to the next matching intake (Fall to next Fall) with a written request to the international office

California State University, San Bernardino Documents Required

Documents are split between upload-at-application and sealed-courier-later. Indian applicants should start transcript requests at least eight weeks before the deadline, given the sealed-copy requirement at Indian universities.

  • Valid passport: Bio-data page scan, with validity through your program end date
  • Official transcripts: Class X, Class XII, and Bachelor’s (sealed, in English) couriered to CSUSB
  • Degree certificate: Provisional or final (sealed copy)
  • Statement of Purpose: 500 to 800 words, program-specific
  • Two Letters of Recommendation: Academic references preferred for freshers
  • Resume or CV: One to two pages
  • English test score report: Official report sent from ETS, IDP, or the test provider
  • Financial affidavit: Bank statement showing USD 46,359 (around INR 44.19 Lakhs) for graduate or USD 50,301 (around INR 47.95 Lakhs) for UG
  • Passport-size photos: Two recent photos

California State University, San Bernardino Acceptance Rate

CSUSB does not publish an official institutional acceptance rate. Based on third-party admit-pattern data, the acceptance rate is estimated at 91 percent, placing CSUSB among the most access-oriented Cal State campuses for Indian applicants.

California State University, San Bernardino Access Model

Access-oriented means the university admits most applicants who meet its stated requirements. For CSUSB, that is a 60 percent Class XII (UG) or 2.5 GPA Bachelor’s (graduate) plus English proficiency. Meet the floor cleanly and the odds are strong.

California State University, San Bernardino Program Selectivity

While institution-wide odds are high, MS Nursing, MS Health Services Administration, and some computing tracks carry cohort caps that raise selectivity. For MBA and MS Computer Science, meeting the GPA and IELTS floor is usually enough for admission.

Insider note: A 91 percent acceptance rate does not mean every applicant walks in. Missing the document deadline or sending unsealed transcripts voids a chunk of files each cycle.


USA F-1 Student Visa for California State University, San Bernardino

Indian students accepted at CSUSB apply for the F-1 student visa once they receive the signed I-20 form. The process runs through the US consulate in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or Delhi.

Steps are: pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of USD 350 (around INR 33,359), complete the DS-160 online form, pay the visa fee of USD 185 (around INR 17,632), and book a biometric appointment plus consular interview. Carry the I-20, financial proof of USD 46,359 (around INR 44.19 Lakhs) for grad or USD 50,301 (around INR 47.95 Lakhs) for UG, academic records, and the admit letter. The US F-1 visa guide for Indian students covers the full consulate list and interview tips.

After arrival, F-1 holders register with the CSUSB international office within 15 days and maintain a full-time course load. Post-study work is 12 months OPT, extended to 36 months total for STEM-designated programs.

2026 update: US consulates in India have cleared most 2026 backlogs. Mumbai and Chennai are issuing F-1 interview slots within four to six weeks of DS-160 submission.


Tips for California State University, San Bernardino Admissions

The following tips are drawn from Indian-applicant patterns at CSUSB and from the admissions office’s own guidance for international files.

  • Apply early in cycle: Fall applications opened August 1, 2026, so submitting by December gives faculty review time
  • Use the MOI letter: Skip IELTS by submitting your Bachelor’s medium-of-instruction letter if the degree was taught in English
  • Hit the GPA floor cleanly: A 2.5 US GPA (around 60 percent) is the minimum, and a 3.0 (around 70 percent) opens more scholarship options
  • Request sealed transcripts early: Indian universities often take four to six weeks to issue sealed copies
  • Write a program-specific SOP: CSUSB faculty review SOPs line by line, so generic templates underperform
  • Check funding for Indian students: Several non-need-based awards open in January 2027

California State University, San Bernardino Admissions Checklist

The following steps cover what Indian applicants typically complete, ordered by when each should happen before the Fall 2027 deadline.

  • 12 months before: Research programs, note deadlines, book an IELTS or TOEFL slot
  • 8 months before: Take the English test, request Class X, Class XII, and degree sealed transcripts
  • 6 months before: Draft the SOP and resume, line up two LORs from faculty referees
  • 4 months before: Submit the online application and pay the USD 70 fee
  • 3 months before: Courier sealed transcripts and send official English scores to CSUSB
  • 2 months before: Accept the offer, pay the enrolment confirmation, request the I-20
  • Post I-20: Pay SEVIS fee, book the DS-160 and visa interview, arrange funds proof

CSUSB offers one of the most reachable US-public pathways for Indian students, with a 60 percent Class XII or Bachelor’s GPA floor, IELTS 5.5 to 7.0 by level, and a USD 70 application fee. Fall 2027 closes June 1, 2027 and Spring 2027 closes within days, so a clean Fall file is the better bet.

California State University, San Bernardino Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. What is the minimum IELTS score for CSUSB graduate programs?

Ans. CSUSB graduate programs need an IELTS score of 6.0, with MBA and MPA raising it to 6.5 and doctoral programs to 7.0.

Ques. Does CSUSB accept the medium-of-instruction letter from Indian universities?

Ans. Yes, CSUSB waives English proficiency when the applicant’s Bachelor’s was completed at an institution where English is the official medium of instruction.

Ques. Is GRE required for MS Computer Science at CSUSB?

Ans. No, CSUSB MS Computer Science does not require the GRE for international applicants.

Ques. What is the application fee for CSUSB international applicants?

Ans. The CSUSB application fee is USD 70 (around INR 6,672), paid on the online portal at submission.

Ques. When is the Fall 2027 application deadline at CSUSB?

Ans. The Fall 2027 application closes on June 1, 2027 with all supporting documents due by June 30, 2027.

Ques. What is the estimated acceptance rate at CSUSB?

Ans. The acceptance rate is estimated at 91 percent based on third-party admit-pattern data. CSUSB does not publish an official institutional figure.

Ques. Is GMAT required for the CSUSB MBA?

Ans. GMAT is not required for most CSUSB MBA applicants and is waived for AACSB-accredited Bachelor’s degrees or those meeting the formula score.

Ques. Can Indian applicants defer their CSUSB offer?

Ans. Yes, CSUSB allows deferral to the next matching intake (Fall to next Fall) with a written request to the international admissions office.

Ques. What financial proof does CSUSB need for the I-20?

Ans. CSUSB requires a bank statement showing USD 46,359 (around INR 44.19 Lakhs) for graduate or USD 50,301 (around INR 47.95 Lakhs) for UG applicants.

Ques. Does CSUSB require WES evaluation for Indian transcripts?

Ans. WES evaluation is recommended but not mandatory. CSUSB accepts sealed official transcripts directly from Indian universities.

Ques. What is the primary intake at CSUSB for Indian students?

Ans. Fall (August) is the primary intake, with most programs opening here, and Spring (January) running as the secondary window.

Ques. How long does CSUSB take to issue admission decisions?

Ans. CSUSB typically issues decisions within four to eight weeks of a complete file, once sealed transcripts and official English scores are received.

California State University-San Bernardino Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibility
M.B.A
2 years

Course Offered by: 

Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
USD 19,151 /Yr70TOEFL iBT: 4 | IELTS: 6.5 | Duolingo: 110 | PTE: 53
M.S Computer Science
2 years

Course Offered by: 

Application Date For Fall 2026 Intake (22nd May 2026)
Application Date For Spring 2027 Intake (15th Dec 2026)
Application Date For Fall 2027 Intake (22nd May 2027)
USD 15,515 /Yr70TOEFL iBT: 4.0 | IELTS: 6.0 | Duolingo: 105 | PTE: 53
Application Date For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
USD 15,515 /Yr70TOEFL iBT: 4 | IELTS: 6.0 | Duolingo: 105 | PTE: 53
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jun 2026)
USD 19,179 /Yr70TOEFL iBT: 3.5 | IELTS: 5.5 | Duolingo: 95 | PTE: 43
M.P.H
2 years

Course Offered by: 

Application Date For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
USD 15,465 /Yr70TOEFL iBT: 4 | IELTS: 6.0 | Duolingo: 105 | PTE: 53
Application Date For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Jun 2026)
USD 15,465 /Yr70TOEFL iBT: 4 | IELTS: 6.0 | Duolingo: 105 | PTE: 53

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