Bakersfield College vs. Saddleback College

Comparable Facts

Compare Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, CA with Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Bakersfield College is larger than Saddleback College based on total student enrollment (30,746 students vs. 20,764 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bakersfield College is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Saddleback College is in Mission Viejo, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Bakersfield College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Saddleback College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bakersfield College 31:1; Saddleback College 27:1.

Bakersfield College vs. Saddleback College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bakersfield College or Saddleback 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 Saddleback College than Bakersfield College ($8,122 vs. $16,637).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bakersfield College are 6.1% lower than at Saddleback College ($24,192 vs. $25,769).
• Bakersfield College is 23.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saddleback College (about $274 more per year; $1,430.00 vs. $1,156.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Saddleback College than at Bakersfield College (about $560 more per year; $11,860.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bakersfield College than at Saddleback College (85% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bakersfield College students is 29% larger than aid received by Saddleback College students ($5,940 vs. $4,603).

Bakersfield College vs. Saddleback College Admissions comparison

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

Bakersfield College vs. Saddleback College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bakersfield College and Saddleback 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 Saddleback College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Bakersfield College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saddleback College graduates have a $2,835 lower median loan debt than Bakersfield College graduates ($6,120 vs. $8,955).
• Among borrowers, Saddleback College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bakersfield College graduates ($63 vs. $92).
• More Saddleback College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bakersfield College students, three years after graduation. (46% 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.