CSU Bakersfield vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands ($6,489 vs. $10,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 2.7% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($15,076 vs. $15,490).
• California State University Bakersfield is 13% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $931 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at California State University Channel Islands (about $931 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at California State University Channel Islands (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 3.5% larger than aid received by California State University Channel Islands students ($12,966 vs. $12,528).

CSU Bakersfield vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

CSU Bakersfield vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and CSU Channel Islands? 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).

• California State University Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $2,015 lower median loan debt than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($13,168 vs. $15,183).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($136 vs. $156).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.