CSU Bakersfield vs. Great Basin College

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Great Basin College based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 3,320 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Great Basin College is in Elko, NV (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Great Basin College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Great Basin College 18:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Great Basin College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Great Basin College? 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 Great Basin College ($6,489 vs. $8,193).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Great Basin College are 60.2% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($6,000 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 106.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Great Basin College (about $4,167 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $3,923.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Great Basin College (about $6,807 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $13,883.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Great Basin College (91% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 111.6% larger than aid received by Great Basin College students ($12,966 vs. $6,129).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Great Basin College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Great Basin College? 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 Great Basin College and CSU Bakersfield.

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. Great Basin College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Great Basin College? 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 Bakersfield's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Great Basin College's (8%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Great Basin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $36,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Great Basin College graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($9,500 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, Great Basin College graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($98 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Great Basin College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 39%)

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.