CSU Bakersfield vs. SCF

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota in Bradenton, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than SCF based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 8,750 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is in Bradenton, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota 23:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. SCF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or SCF? 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 SCF ($6,489 vs. $22,034).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 43.6% lower than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota ($15,076 vs. $26,718).
• California State University Bakersfield is 163.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCF (about $5,016 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $3,074.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.4% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (about $9,095 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $11,595.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota (91% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 94.5% larger than aid received by State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota students ($12,966 vs. $6,668).

CSU Bakersfield vs. SCF Admissions comparison

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

• State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; SCF - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. SCF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and SCF? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than SCF graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State College of Florida Manatee Sarasota graduates have a $4,558 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($8,610 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, SCF graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($89 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCF students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 35%)

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.