Alabama State vs. CSU Bakersfield

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama State University in Montgomery, 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 Alabama State based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,081 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama State University is located in Montgomery, AL (Midsize City setting); California State University Bakersfield is in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting).
• Alabama State 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 State University 15:1; California State University Bakersfield 20:1.

Alabama State vs. CSU Bakersfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Alabama State 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 Alabama State ($6,489 vs. $13,138).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama State University are 48.2% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($7,816 vs. $15,076).
• Alabama State University is 39% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $3,158 more per year; $11,248.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Alabama State University (about $1,114 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $19,576.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Alabama State University (91% vs. 87%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 11.9% larger than aid received by Alabama State University students ($12,966 vs. $11,583).

Alabama State vs. CSU Bakersfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Alabama State 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 Alabama State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 749/967.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Alabama State - Test optional; CSU Bakersfield - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Alabama State Jul 31, 2027; CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• Alabama State has a higher acceptance rate (97.6%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15% at Alabama State vs. 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield.

Alabama State vs. CSU Bakersfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Alabama State 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 State University's (26%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $18,800 more per year than Alabama State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $29,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $18,923 lower median loan debt than Alabama State graduates ($13,168 vs. $32,091).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $195 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Alabama State graduates ($136 vs. $331).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Alabama State students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 20%)

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.