Bakersfield College vs. CSU Bakersfield

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 10,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); California State University Bakersfield is in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; California State University Bakersfield 20:1.

Bakersfield College vs. CSU Bakersfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College 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 Bakersfield College ($6,489 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 37.7% lower than at Bakersfield College ($15,076 vs. $24,192).
• California State University Bakersfield is 465.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Bakersfield College (about $6,660 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $1,430.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83.1% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Bakersfield College (about $9,390 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Bakersfield College (91% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 118.3% larger than aid received by Bakersfield College students ($12,966 vs. $5,940).

Bakersfield College vs. CSU Bakersfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College 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 Bakersfield College.

• Bakersfield College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; CSU Bakersfield - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

Bakersfield College vs. CSU Bakersfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College 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).

• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bakersfield College graduates have a $4,213 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($8,955 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, Bakersfield College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($92 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 26%)

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.