CSU Bakersfield vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 10,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or WKU? 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 WKU ($6,489 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Kentucky University are 16.5% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($12,582 vs. $15,076).
• Western Kentucky University is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $3,562 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at WKU than at California State University Bakersfield (about $6,310 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at California State University Bakersfield (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Western Kentucky University students ($12,966 vs. $10,921).

CSU Bakersfield vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; WKU Aug 1, 2027.
• WKU has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 30.2% at WKU.

CSU Bakersfield vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Western Kentucky University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than WKU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $37,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $11,082 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($13,168 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($136 vs. $250).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WKU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 47%)

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.