Bakersfield College vs. College of the Desert

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with College of the Desert in Palm Desert, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than College of the Desert based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 12,861 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); College of the Desert is in Palm Desert, CA (Small City setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. College of the Desert is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; College of the Desert 26:1.

Bakersfield College vs. College of the Desert Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or College of the Desert? 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 Bakersfield College than College of the Desert ($16,637 vs. $18,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bakersfield College are 3.8% lower than at College of the Desert ($24,192 vs. $25,151).
• Bakersfield College is 7.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than College of the Desert (about $104 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,326.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at Bakersfield College than at College of the Desert (about $1,126 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $10,174.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of the Desert than at Bakersfield College (88% vs. 85%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of the Desert students is 14.8% larger than aid received by Bakersfield College students ($6,822 vs. $5,940).

Bakersfield College vs. College of the Desert Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or College of the Desert? 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 College of the Desert and Bakersfield College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bakersfield College - Open admission; College of the Desert - Open admission.

Bakersfield College vs. College of the Desert Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and College of the Desert? 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 College of the Desert earn a median of about $200 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,100 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of the Desert graduates have a $3,617 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($5,338 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, College of the Desert graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($55 vs. $92).
• More College of the Desert graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (35% 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.