CSU Bakersfield vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or San Jose 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 Jose State ($6,489 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 28.1% lower than at San Jose State University ($15,076 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $320 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Bakersfield (about $320 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at San Jose State University (91% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 5% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($12,966 vs. $12,353).

CSU Bakersfield vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

CSU Bakersfield vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and San Jose 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 Jose State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $1,832 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($13,168 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($136 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.