Public · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large city

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, California. 8,577 undergraduates. Admits 94% of applicants.

48%Graduation rate6 pts below the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$4,001Average net price per year80% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$62,381Median earnings 10 years after starting6% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$13,246Median debt at graduation39% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($13,246) equals 21% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($62,381). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$2,097
$30,000–$48,000$2,371
$48,001–$75,000$3,304
$75,001–$110,000$7,017
Over $110,000$14,673

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $8,496 in-state, $21,816 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate48%54%
Return for second year79%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$50,656$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$62,381$58,912
Median debt at graduation$13,246$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

54 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing71$102,135$110,500$26,520
Engineering Science3$64,596$94,803—
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering26$76,392$94,441—
Economics11$48,678$86,004—
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy10—$85,390—
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences9—$85,129—
Chemistry5—$81,285—
Computer Science53$55,409$78,483$21,467
Mathematics19$40,856$71,512—
Agricultural Business and Management13$68,023——
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities328$31,624$66,501$9,562
Biology, General68$34,294$65,606$11,500
Political Science and Government32$33,427$63,732—
Business Administration, Management and Operations275$43,346$61,838$12,000
Sociology137$41,111$60,821$16,750
History55$26,091$59,861—
English Language and Literature, General39$27,247$58,780$10,101
Psychology, General302$34,703$57,984$12,467
Criminal Justice and Corrections139$38,619$57,919$10,770
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics33$27,886$56,240—
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness105$31,172$55,448$9,750
Communication and Media Studies101$37,745$55,335$19,250
Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other42$33,138$54,490$19,375
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services—$31,699$53,168$13,950
Public Administration6—$53,148—
Philosophy5—$52,461—
Fine and Studio Arts25$23,821$39,480—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods161———
Engineering, General28———
Computer Engineering11———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology15———
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other12———
Religion/Religious Studies5———
Physics1———
Anthropology4———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft1———
Music5———
Public Health16———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

94%Admission rate
20:1Students per faculty member
65%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does California State University-Bakersfield cost per year?
The average net price at California State University-Bakersfield, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $4,001 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do California State University-Bakersfield graduates earn?
Former California State University-Bakersfield students earn a median of $62,381 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Bakersfield?
48% of California State University-Bakersfield students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do California State University-Bakersfield graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from California State University-Bakersfield is $13,246. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.