CSU Bakersfield vs. SWOSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than SWOSU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,186 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. SWOSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or SWOSU? 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 SWOSU ($6,489 vs. $14,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University are 49.4% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($7,634 vs. $15,076).
• Southwestern Oklahoma State University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $379 more per year; $8,469.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 143.4% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (about $12,191 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $8,499.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 45.6% larger than aid received by Southwestern Oklahoma State University students ($12,966 vs. $8,906).

CSU Bakersfield vs. SWOSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwestern Oklahoma State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; SWOSU - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. SWOSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and SWOSU? 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 Southwestern Oklahoma State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Southwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of about $300 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,600 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $2,519 lower median loan debt than SWOSU graduates ($13,168 vs. $15,687).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWOSU graduates ($136 vs. $162).
• More SWOSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.