CSU Bakersfield vs. Pitt State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Pitt State based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,755 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. Pitt State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Pitt State? 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 Pitt State ($6,489 vs. $15,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pittsburg State University are 32.1% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($10,234 vs. $15,076).
• Pittsburg State University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $310 more per year; $8,400.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Pittsburg State University (about $946 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $19,744.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Pittsburg State University (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 99.4% larger than aid received by Pittsburg State University students ($12,966 vs. $6,504).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Pitt State Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Pitt State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Pitt State (89.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 31.9% at Pitt State.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Pitt State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Pitt State? 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).

• Pittsburg State University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than Pitt State graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $6,832 lower median loan debt than Pitt State graduates ($13,168 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt State graduates ($136 vs. $206).
• More Pitt State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.