CSU Bakersfield vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University ($6,489 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 10.9% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($13,431 vs. $15,076).
• La Sierra University is 366.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $29,620 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.3% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $17,020 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Bakersfield (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 113.2% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($27,646 vs. $12,966).

CSU Bakersfield vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

CSU Bakersfield vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $16,832 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($13,168 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $174 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($136 vs. $310).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 52%)

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.