CSU Bakersfield vs. MSU Billings

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Montana State University Billings is in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Montana State University Billings 14:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. MSU Billings Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or MSU Billings? 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 MSU Billings ($6,489 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 33.8% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($9,980 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 11.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU Billings (about $810 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $7,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.7% higher at MSU Billings than at California State University Bakersfield (about $2,207 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Montana State University Billings (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 77.3% larger than aid received by Montana State University Billings students ($12,966 vs. $7,313).

CSU Bakersfield vs. MSU Billings Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; MSU Billings - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. MSU Billings Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and MSU Billings? 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 Montana State University Billings's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than MSU Billings graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $4,332 lower median loan debt than MSU Billings graduates ($13,168 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Billings graduates ($136 vs. $180).
• More MSU Billings graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (58% 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.