California Baptist University vs. CSU Bakersfield

Comparable Facts

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

California Baptist University is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (11,902 students vs. 10,419 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Bakersfield is in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University Bakersfield 20:1.

California Baptist University vs. CSU Bakersfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University 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 California Baptist University ($6,489 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 19.5% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($12,140 vs. $15,076).
• California Baptist University is 409.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $33,138 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.3% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $20,538 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University Bakersfield (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 106.3% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($26,743 vs. $12,966).

California Baptist University vs. CSU Bakersfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or CSU Bakersfield? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU Bakersfield and California Baptist University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; CSU Bakersfield - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield.

California Baptist University vs. CSU Bakersfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and CSU Bakersfield? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $13,832 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($13,168 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $143 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($136 vs. $279).
• More California Baptist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 54%)

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.