CSU Bakersfield vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Union College is in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Pacific Union College 12:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or PUC? 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 PUC ($6,489 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 34.9% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($9,816 vs. $15,076).
• Pacific Union College is 359.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $29,083 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at PUC than at California State University Bakersfield (about $16,483 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University Bakersfield (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 105.4% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($26,629 vs. $12,966).

CSU Bakersfield vs. PUC Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsPacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 14% at PUC.

CSU Bakersfield vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and PUC? 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).

• Pacific Union College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $16,832 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($13,168 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $174 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($136 vs. $310).
• More PUC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.