AAMU vs. CSU Bakersfield

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than AAMU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 7,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); California State University Bakersfield is in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; California State University Bakersfield 20:1.

AAMU vs. CSU Bakersfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or CSU Bakersfield? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Bakersfield than AAMU ($6,489 vs. $17,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 24.4% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($11,402 vs. $15,076).
• Alabama A & M University is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $1,934 more per year; $10,024.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Alabama A & M University (about $2,056 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $18,634.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Alabama A & M University (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Alabama A & M University students ($12,966 vs. $12,844).

AAMU vs. CSU Bakersfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or CSU Bakersfield? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU Bakersfield and AAMU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; CSU Bakersfield - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than AAMU (58%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.5% at AAMU vs. 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield.

AAMU vs. CSU Bakersfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and CSU Bakersfield? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Bakersfield's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Alabama A & M University's (32%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than AAMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $21,832 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($13,168 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $225 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($136 vs. $361).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.