CSU Bakersfield vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 10,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($6,489 vs. $12,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 46.3% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($8,090 vs. $15,076).
• University of Wisconsin Whitewater 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 10.5% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $1,974 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (91% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 128.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($12,966 vs. $5,685).

CSU Bakersfield vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

CSU Bakersfield vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $11,803 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($13,168 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($136 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.