CSU Bakersfield vs. WSC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Wayne State College in Wayne, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than WSC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,666 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Wayne State College is in Wayne, NE (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wayne State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Wayne State College 19:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. WSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or WSC? 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 WSC ($6,489 vs. $16,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne State College are 32.7% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($10,142 vs. $15,076).
• Wayne State College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $126 more per year; $8,216.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 151.8% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Wayne State College (about $12,474 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $8,216.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wayne State College than at California State University Bakersfield (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 99% larger than aid received by Wayne State College students ($12,966 vs. $6,517).

CSU Bakersfield vs. WSC Admissions comparison

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

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. WSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Wayne State College's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than WSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $6,882 lower median loan debt than WSC graduates ($13,168 vs. $20,050).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSC graduates ($136 vs. $207).
• More WSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.