CSU Bakersfield vs. CBC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than CBC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 7,510 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. CBC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or CBC? 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 CBC ($6,489 vs. $10,656).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia Basin College are 25.6% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($11,222 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 23.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CBC (about $1,535 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $6,555.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.7% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Columbia Basin College (about $12,022 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $8,668.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Columbia Basin College (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 76% larger than aid received by Columbia Basin College students ($12,966 vs. $7,367).

CSU Bakersfield vs. CBC Admissions comparison

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

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. CBC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and CBC? 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 California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than CBC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia Basin College graduates have a $2,668 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($10,500 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, CBC graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($108 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CBC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

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.