CSU Bakersfield vs. BSC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than BSC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Bismarck State College is in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Bismarck State College 13:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. BSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or BSC? 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 BSC ($6,489 vs. $10,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 45.1% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($8,273 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 54.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $2,843 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.2% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Bismarck State College (about $13,359 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Bismarck State College (91% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 156.8% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($12,966 vs. $5,049).

CSU Bakersfield vs. BSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or BSC? 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 BSC and CSU Bakersfield.

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. BSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and BSC? 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 Bismarck State College earn a median of about $900 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $2,127 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($11,041 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($114 vs. $136).
• More BSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.