CSU Bakersfield vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University ($6,489 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 2.8% lower than at Mount Saint Mary's University ($15,076 vs. $15,518).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 512.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $41,474 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.6% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $28,874 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Bakersfield (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 202.5% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($39,218 vs. $12,966).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Mount Saint Mary's 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).

• Mount Saint Mary's University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $11,832 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($13,168 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($136 vs. $258).
• More Mount Saint Mary's University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.