CSU Bakersfield vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 6,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ($6,489 vs. $14,090).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 6.4% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($14,118 vs. $15,076).
• California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $160 more per year; $8,250.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt than at California State University Bakersfield (about $160 more per year; $20,850.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (91% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 20.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($12,966 vs. $10,748).

CSU Bakersfield vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

CSU Bakersfield vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 California State Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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 $6,332 lower median loan debt than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($13,168 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates ($136 vs. $201).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt 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.