CSU Bakersfield vs. California State University-Fresno

California State University Bakersfield and California State University Fresno side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Bakersfield
California State University Fresno

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU Bakersfield (93.9% admitted vs 95.3%). Typical SAT N/A vs 1000.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU Bakersfield. Average net price is $6,489 vs $7,834 at California State University-Fresno.
  • Graduation: CSU Bakersfield 41% vs California State University-Fresno 49%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU Bakersfield $48,300 vs California State University-Fresno $46,500 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

California State University Bakersfield California State University Fresno
Acceptance rate
CSU Bakersfield more selective
CSU Bakersfield93.9%
California State University-Fresno95.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
California State University-Fresno higher
CSU Bakersfield-
California State University-Fresno890-1100
Average net price
CSU Bakersfield $1,345 less
CSU Bakersfield$6,489
California State University-Fresno$7,834
In-state tuition
California State University-Fresno $740 less
CSU Bakersfield$8,090
California State University-Fresno$7,350
Out-of-state tuition
California State University-Fresno $740 less
CSU Bakersfield$20,690
California State University-Fresno$19,950
Graduation rate
California State University-Fresno +8 pts
CSU Bakersfield41%
California State University-Fresno49%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU Bakersfield +$1,800
CSU Bakersfield$48,300
California State University-Fresno$46,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at CSU Bakersfield and California State University-Fresno with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at CSU Bakersfield Check my chances at California State University-Fresno
  • Applied
  • CSU Bakersfield 13,229
  • California State University-Fresno 21,521
  • Admitted
  • CSU Bakersfield 12,416
  • California State University-Fresno 20,501
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU Bakersfield 93.9%
  • California State University-Fresno 95.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU Bakersfield 10.4%
  • California State University-Fresno 17.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU Bakersfield
  • California State University-Fresno 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU Bakersfield
  • California State University-Fresno 18
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU Bakersfield -
  • California State University-Fresno 3.12
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU Bakersfield -
  • California State University-Fresno B
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Bakersfield Unavailable
  • California State University-Fresno Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU Bakersfield
  • California State University-Fresno
  • SAT range
  • CSU Bakersfield
  • California State University-Fresno 890-1100
  • ACT range
  • CSU Bakersfield
  • California State University-Fresno 16-21
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Bakersfield Test-free
  • California State University-Fresno Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026
  • California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU Bakersfield $8,090
  • California State University-Fresno $7,350
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU Bakersfield $20,690
  • California State University-Fresno $19,950
  • Room & board
  • CSU Bakersfield $15,076
  • California State University-Fresno $11,960
  • Average net price
  • CSU Bakersfield $6,489
  • California State University-Fresno $7,834
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU Bakersfield $12,966
  • California State University-Fresno $12,326
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU Bakersfield 91%
  • California State University-Fresno 85%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU Bakersfield 41%
  • California State University-Fresno 49%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU Bakersfield $48,300
  • California State University-Fresno $46,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU Bakersfield 54%
  • California State University-Fresno 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU Bakersfield $13,168
  • California State University-Fresno $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU Bakersfield $136
  • California State University-Fresno $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU Bakersfield 20:1
  • California State University-Fresno 22:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU Bakersfield
    • Business (17%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
  • California State University-Fresno
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • CSU Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
  • California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Bakersfield Large City
  • California State University-Fresno Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU Bakersfield 10,419
  • California State University-Fresno 24,427
  • Type
  • CSU Bakersfield Public 4 Year
  • California State University-Fresno Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU Bakersfield
  • California State University-Fresno #874

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with California State University Fresno in Fresno, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Fresno is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 10,419 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); California State University Fresno is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
  • California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; California State University Fresno 22:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 20.7% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($11,960 vs. $15,076).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at California State University Fresno (about $740 more per year; $20,690 vs. $19,950).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at California State University Fresno (91% vs. 85%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 5.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fresno students ($12,966 vs. $12,326).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU Bakersfield and California State University-Fresno.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 17.5% at California State University-Fresno.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $1,832 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($13,168 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($136 vs. $155).
  • More California State University-Fresno graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation (63% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

California State University Bakersfield
California State University Fresno
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges