CSU Bakersfield vs. Pacific Oaks College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Oaks College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Pacific Oaks College 11:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Pacific Oaks College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Pacific Oaks College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 21.4% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($15,076 vs. $19,185).
• Pacific Oaks College is 302% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $24,430 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.2% higher at Pacific Oaks College than at California State University Bakersfield (about $11,830 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Pacific Oaks College (91% vs. 0%).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Pacific Oaks College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Pacific Oaks 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 Pacific Oaks College and CSU Bakersfield.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Pacific Oaks College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Pacific Oaks College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Pacific Oaks 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 $6,200 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $7,799 lower median loan debt than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($13,168 vs. $20,967).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($136 vs. $216).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 51%)

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.