CSU Bakersfield vs. Northwest Florida State College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Northwest Florida State College based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,752 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Northwest Florida State College is in Niceville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Florida State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Northwest Florida State College 22:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Northwest Florida State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Northwest Florida State College? 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 Northwest Florida State College than CSU Bakersfield ($6,250 vs. $6,489).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Florida State College are 37.3% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($9,450 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 213.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Florida State College (about $5,507 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $2,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Northwest Florida State College (about $10,078 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $10,612.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Northwest Florida State College (91% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 73.9% larger than aid received by Northwest Florida State College students ($12,966 vs. $7,458).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Northwest Florida State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Northwest Florida State College? 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 Northwest Florida State College and CSU Bakersfield.

• Northwest Florida State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Northwest Florida State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Northwest Florida State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Northwest Florida State College? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than Northwest Florida State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $32,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Florida State College graduates have a $8,798 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($4,370 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, Northwest Florida State College graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($45 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Florida State College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 46%)

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.