CSU Bakersfield vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Polk State College 19:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or PSC? 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 PSC ($6,489 vs. $10,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 19.2% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($12,186 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 200.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $5,396 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.8% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Polk State College (about $10,873 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Polk State College (91% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 292.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($12,966 vs. $3,305).

CSU Bakersfield vs. PSC Admissions comparison

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

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and PSC? 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 $14,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $3,668 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($9,500 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($98 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 40%)

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.