CSU Bakersfield vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or WNC? 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 WNC ($6,489 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 15.2% lower than at Western Nevada College ($15,076 vs. $17,788).
• California State University Bakersfield is 94.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $3,922 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.2% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Western Nevada College (about $7,856 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Western Nevada College (91% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 120.7% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($12,966 vs. $5,874).

CSU Bakersfield vs. WNC Admissions comparison

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

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

CSU Bakersfield vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and WNC? 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 WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $1,852 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($11,316 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($117 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 30%)

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.