CSU Bakersfield vs. Southern University and A & M College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Southern University and A & M College based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 7,452 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Southern University and A & M College is in Baton Rouge, LA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern University and A & M College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Southern University and A & M College 21:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Southern University and A & M College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Southern University and A & M College? 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 Southern University and A & M College ($6,489 vs. $18,353).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern University and A & M College are 46.8% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($8,018 vs. $15,076).
• Southern University and A & M College is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $1,832 more per year; $9,922.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Southern University and A & M College (about $3,418 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $17,272.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Southern University and A & M College (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 63.2% larger than aid received by Southern University and A & M College students ($12,966 vs. $7,945).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Southern University and A & M College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Southern University and A & M College? 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 Southern University and A & M College and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthern University and A & M College 790/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthern University and A & M College 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Southern University and A & M College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Southern University and A & M College Aug 1, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Southern University and A & M College (35.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 20.1% at Southern University and A & M College.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Southern University and A & M College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Southern University and A & M College? 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).

• California State University Bakersfield's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Southern University and A & M College's (19%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Southern University and A & M College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $17,582 lower median loan debt than Southern University and A & M College graduates ($13,168 vs. $30,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southern University and A & M College graduates ($136 vs. $317).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern University and A & M College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 25%)

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.