CSU Bakersfield vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 10,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or San Francisco 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 San Francisco State ($6,489 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 32.3% lower than at San Francisco State University ($15,076 vs. $22,266).
• California State University Bakersfield is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $140 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at San Francisco State University (about $140 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at San Francisco State University (91% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 0.2% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($12,996 vs. $12,966).

CSU Bakersfield vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or San Francisco 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 San Francisco State and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

CSU Bakersfield vs. San Francisco State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and San Francisco 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).

• San Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $4,082 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($13,168 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($136 vs. $178).
• More San Francisco State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.