CSU Bakersfield vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato

Comparable Facts

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

Minnesota State University Mankato is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (15,271 students vs. 10,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Minnesota State University Mankato is in Mankato, MN (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Minnesota State University Mankato 21:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato ($6,489 vs. $18,861).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Minnesota State University Mankato are 17.6% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($12,420 vs. $15,076).
• Minnesota State University Mankato is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $1,482 more per year; $9,572.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.2% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Minnesota State University Mankato (about $1,748 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $18,942.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Minnesota State University Mankato (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 143.5% larger than aid received by Minnesota State University Mankato students ($12,966 vs. $5,325).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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 Minnesota State University-Mankato and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMinnesota State University Mankato 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Minnesota State University-Mankato - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Minnesota State University-Mankato (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 29.4% at Minnesota State University-Mankato.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Minnesota State University-Mankato Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Minnesota State University-Mankato? 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).

• Minnesota State University Mankato's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $9,407 lower median loan debt than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($13,168 vs. $22,575).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $97 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates ($136 vs. $233).
• More Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.