CSU Bakersfield vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or WSSU? 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 WSSU ($6,489 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 23.8% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($11,484 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 32.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $1,964 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.3% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Winston Salem State University (about $3,908 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield as at Winston Salem State University (91% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 28.9% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($12,966 vs. $10,057).

CSU Bakersfield vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; WSSU Feb 15, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 13.1% at WSSU.

CSU Bakersfield vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at CSU Bakersfield is the same as at Winston Salem State University (41% vs. 41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $12,495 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($13,168 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $129 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($136 vs. $265).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 33%)

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.