Bakersfield College vs. Golden West College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with Golden West College in Huntington Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than Golden West College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 10,721 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Golden West College is in Huntington Beach, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Golden West College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; Golden West College 29:1.

Bakersfield College vs. Golden West College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or Golden West College? 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 Golden West College than Bakersfield College ($6,681 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Golden West College are 2.2% lower than at Bakersfield College ($23,659 vs. $24,192).
• Bakersfield College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Golden West College (about $50 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,380.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at Golden West College than at Bakersfield College (about $328 more per year; $11,628.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bakersfield College than at Golden West College (85% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Golden West College students is 15.3% larger than aid received by Bakersfield College students ($6,849 vs. $5,940).

Bakersfield College vs. Golden West College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bakersfield College or Golden West College? 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 Golden West College 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; Golden West College - Open admission.

Bakersfield College vs. Golden West College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and Golden West College? 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 Golden West College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,000 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Golden West College graduates have a $3,471 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($5,484 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, Golden West College graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($56 vs. $92).
• More Golden West College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.