CSU Bakersfield vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University ($6,489 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 26% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($11,150 vs. $15,076).
• Tennessee State University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $526 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at Tennessee State University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $1,726 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Tennessee State University (91% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 34.2% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($12,966 vs. $9,661).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University and CSU Bakersfield.

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Tennessee 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).

• California State University Bakersfield's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $14,832 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($13,168 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $153 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($136 vs. $289).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 29%)

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.