School Profile

California State University at Bakersfield

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Bakersfield, CA

This school is more affordable than other public schools.

Affordability is calculated by subtracting average financial aid from total tuition and fees.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

$5,742

Avg in-state tuition

$17,622

Avg out-of-state tuition

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Discover programs by subject area to find the best college for your future.

Search All Programs

Work here? Claim your school's profile

About California State University at Bakersfield

School Type: Public

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

California State University at Bakersfield is a medium-sized public university located on an urban campus in Bakersfield, California. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,979, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 78%. The university offers 38 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 46%, and a student-faculty ratio of 23:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $5,742, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $17,622.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a high acceptance rate.

This school accepts students at a higher rate than other schools. High acceptance schools welcome 51-100% of all applicants.

78% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

83% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

46% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Recommended

High school transcript Required

High school rank Not required or recommended

Letter of recommendation Not required or recommended

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Not required or recommended

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Yes

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

ACT 25th-75th Percentile Currently Unavailable

SAT 25th-75th Percentile Currently Unavailable

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of between 5,000 and 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

12k

Students enrolled

100%

Online student enrollment

23:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

Hispanic

61%

White

15%

Unknown

7%

Asian

6%

Black

4%

Non-U.S. Citizen

4%

Two or more races

2%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

66%

Socio-economic diversity

67% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

California State University-Stanislaus

Turlock, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

Humboldt State University

Arcata, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA · Public · Non-profit

View School

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

2

Total Online Enrollment

11,718

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

96% On-campus

4% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates X Bold Not offered

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's X Bold Not offered

Graduate Certificate X Bold Not offered

Master's Check Bold 11% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $5,742 $17,622
Graduate $7,176 $16,680

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,244
On-campus room and board $12,900
On-campus other expenses $3,152
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $13,844
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $4,364
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $3,976

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $23,038 $34,918
Off-campus without family $25,194 $37,074
Off-campus with family $10,962 $22,842

Financial Breakdown

On average, students at this school receive more financial aid than students at other schools.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

67%

State Grant Aid

77%

Institution Grant Aid

65%

Pell Grant

67%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $5,422
State Grant Aid $2,583
Institution Grant Aid $5,764
Pell Grant Aid $4,897

Financial Outlook

$16k

Average student debt after graduation

$39k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I without football

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Golf
  • Track Field Outdoor
  • Wrestling
  • Baseball
  • Basketball

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science And Related Fields

BA

MA

DOC

2

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

3

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

4

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

5

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

6

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

7

Education

BA

MA

DOC

8

Engineering

BA

MA

DOC

9

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

10

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

11

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

12

Health Professions And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

13

History

BA

MA

DOC

14

History

BA

MA

DOC

15

Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting And Related Protective Services

BA

MA

DOC

16

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

17

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

18

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

19

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC