CSU Bakersfield vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or CDU? 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 CDU ($6,489 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 54.4% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($15,076 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 184.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $14,910 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at CDU than at California State University Bakersfield (about $2,310 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at California State University Bakersfield (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 203.2% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($12,966 vs. $4,276).

CSU Bakersfield vs. CDU Admissions comparison

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

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 3.5% at CDU.

CSU Bakersfield vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and CDU? 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 Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $22,600 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $8,151 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($13,168 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($136 vs. $220).
• More CDU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.