CSU Bakersfield vs. ESU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than ESU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,557 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Emporia State University is in Emporia, KS (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Emporia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Emporia State University 16:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. ESU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or ESU ? 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 ESU ($6,489 vs. $16,094).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emporia State University are 27.4% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($10,950 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 13.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ESU (about $984 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $7,106.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.2% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Emporia State University (about $5,271 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $15,419.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emporia State University than at California State University Bakersfield (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 117.9% larger than aid received by Emporia State University students ($12,966 vs. $5,951).

CSU Bakersfield vs. ESU Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; ESU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• ESU has a higher acceptance rate (97.7%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 22.9% at ESU .

CSU Bakersfield vs. ESU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and ESU ? 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).

• Emporia State University's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than ESU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $6,251 lower median loan debt than ESU graduates ($13,168 vs. $19,419).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ESU graduates ($136 vs. $200).
• More ESU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.