CSU Bakersfield vs. Southeast Missouri State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Southeast Missouri State University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 9,501 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Southeast Missouri State University is in Cape Girardeau, MO (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southeast Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Southeast Missouri State University 20:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Southeast Missouri State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Southeast Missouri State University? 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 Southeast Missouri State University ($6,489 vs. $16,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeast Missouri State University are 19.1% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($12,198 vs. $15,076).
• Southeast Missouri State University is 22.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $1,813 more per year; $9,903.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 108.9% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Southeast Missouri State University (about $10,787 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $9,903.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeast Missouri State University than at California State University Bakersfield (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 52.3% larger than aid received by Southeast Missouri State University students ($12,966 vs. $8,512).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Southeast Missouri State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Southeast Missouri State University? 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 Southeast Missouri State University and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSoutheast Missouri State University 850/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSoutheast Missouri State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Southeast Missouri State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Southeast Missouri State University Jul 1, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Southeast Missouri State University (73.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 17.9% at Southeast Missouri State University.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Southeast Missouri State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Southeast Missouri State University? 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).

• Southeast Missouri State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Southeast Missouri State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $9,359 lower median loan debt than Southeast Missouri State University graduates ($13,168 vs. $22,527).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southeast Missouri State University graduates ($136 vs. $232).
• More Southeast Missouri State University 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.