California State University-Bakersfield

Last updated: April 13, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

California State University-Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, CA, offering 46 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. California State University-Bakersfield provides students with educational opportunities designed to prepare them for success in their chosen fields.

Key Facts

  • 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $7,696
  • 2024 Average Net Price: $5,825 After Financial Aid
  • 2024 Acceptance Rate: 88.19% Moderate Selectivity
  • 2024 Enrolled Students: 8,183 N/A% Full-Time
  • 2024 Graduation Rate: 49.31%

Costs

Tuition Costs

$7,696
2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at California State University-Bakersfield was $7,696.

Tuition comparison with similar institutions.

Average Net Price

$5,825
2024 Value

In 2024 California State University-Bakersfield had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $5,825.

Average net price comparison with similar institutions.

Total Cost of Attendance

$23,300 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost

$5,825 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)

$30,784 4-Year In-State Tuition

$78,304 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition

Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.

4-year total cost breakdown for California State University-Bakersfield.

Financial Aid by Income Level

61.20% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

25.12% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

Financial aid distribution by income level.

Student Loan Default Rate

Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)

The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at California State University-Bakersfield was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.

Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate

88.19% Acceptance Rate

This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.

Acceptance rate compared to national average.

Test Scores

Test score data is not available for this institution.

Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.

Academic Requirements

GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.

Estimated GPA and test score ranges.

Enrollment

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

N/A% Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at California State University-Bakersfield in 2024 is 8,183 students.

Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.

Retention Rate over Time

N/A%
2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.

Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.

Graduates & Outcomes

Time to Complete

27.62% 100% Completion Time

49.31% 150% Completion Time

In 2024, 27.62% of students graduating from California State University-Bakersfield completed their program within 100% "normal time".

Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.

ROI & Programs

Financial value and program information for California State University-Bakersfield.

Return on Investment

$16,600 Median Student Debt

$59,009 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)

28.13% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio

2432.58% Return on Investment

2.8 years Estimated Payback Period

Financial value analysis for California State University-Bakersfield.

Top Programs by Completions

10 Programs Reporting Data

CIP 52.0201: 338 completions

Liberal Arts & Sciences: 328 completions

General Psychology: 302 completions

Early Childhood Education & Teaching: 161 completions

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration: 139 completions

Sociology: 137 completions

Agricultural Business and Management: 121 completions

Parks, Recreation, & Leisure: 109 completions

Communication and Media Studies: 101 completions

Other/Unknown Programs: 2,564 completions

Most popular programs at California State University-Bakersfield.

Employment Outcomes

$44,282 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)

$51,171 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)

$59,009 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)

Earnings outcomes for California State University-Bakersfield graduates.

About

California State University-Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, CA, offering 46 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 8,183 students. The admission rate is 88.19%. The institution maintains a 49.31% graduation rate. Approximately 61.20% of students receive Pell Grants.

Institution Type

Public

Location

Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099

Region: Far West

Insights and Analysis

California State University-Bakersfield provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.

Data Sources

This page uses data from the following sources:

  • College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
    • Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
    • Employment and wage data by occupation
    • Latest data: May 2024
    • Source: bls.gov/oes
  • O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
    • Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
    • Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
    • Source: onetcenter.org
  • IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
    • Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
    • Data years: 2015-2024
    • Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
  • Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
    • Demographic and workforce data
    • Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
    • Source: census.gov/acs

Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.

Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.

Methodology

Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.

All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.