California State University-Bakersfield
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families who need the lowest possible cost. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker; 61% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
California State University-Bakersfield is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California with approximately 8,577 undergraduate students enrolled. California State University-Bakersfield has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 94%. The average net price after financial aid is $5,652 per year. The graduation rate is 50%, and the typical graduate earns $50,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
California State University, Bakersfield is a public university in Bakersfield, California. It was established in 1965 as Kern State College and officially in 1968 as California State College Bakersfield on a 375-acre (152 ha) campus, becoming the 20th school in the California State University system. The university offers 39 different bachelor's degree programs, 17 master's degree programs, and a doctoral program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.).
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at just $5,825/year after aid and a median debt of only $11,270 at graduation, this is one of the most affordable four-year university options you'll find in California. However, the 49% graduation rate is a real concern — only about half of students who start here finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. If you're cost-conscious, place-bound to the Bakersfield area, or want a small campus feel (just over 8,000 undergrads) with a manageable financial commitment, this can work — but come in with a clear plan and strong support system to beat those odds.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 16% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
California State University-Bakersfield graduates earn most above the national rate in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($102,298 vs $88,910 nationally), and most below it in Computer Science ($80,432 vs $107,009).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 362 | $61,705 | $68,257 | −$6,552 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 317 | $57,529 | $53,072 | +$4,457 |
| Psychology, General | 277 | $49,207 | $50,706 | −$1,499 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 168 | $53,715 | $55,378 | −$1,663 |
| Sociology | 134 | $52,618 | $52,657 | −$39 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 102 | $50,989 | $56,359 | −$5,370 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 87 | $102,298 | $88,910 | +$13,388 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 80 | $53,553 | $54,562 | −$1,009 |
| Computer Science | 65 | $80,432 | $107,009 | −$26,577 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 62 | $52,420 | $48,590 | +$3,830 |
| History | 57 | $56,081 | $50,680 | +$5,401 |
| Biology, General | 55 | $58,885 | $57,214 | +$1,671 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (8,577 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
California State University-Bakersfield
9001 Stockdale Hwy
Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
California State University-Bakersfield is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Bakersfield?
California State University-Bakersfield has an acceptance rate of 94%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is California State University-Bakersfield hard to get into?
Not especially. California State University-Bakersfield has an acceptance rate of 94%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.
How much does California State University-Bakersfield cost?
The average net price at California State University-Bakersfield is about $5,652 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Bakersfield?
California State University-Bakersfield has a graduation rate of 50%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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