CSU Bakersfield vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (43,662 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 Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Cal State Fullerton? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Bakersfield than Cal State Fullerton ($6,489 vs. $7,064).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 21% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($15,076 vs. $19,080).
• California State University Bakersfield is 8.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $620 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at California State University Fullerton (about $620 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at California State University Fullerton (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 15.4% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($12,966 vs. $11,234).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Cal State Fullerton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal State Fullerton and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than Cal State Fullerton (90.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Cal State Fullerton? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Fullerton's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Fullerton earn a median of about $700 more per year than CSU Bakersfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $1,832 lower median loan debt than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($13,168 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Fullerton graduates ($136 vs. $155).
• More Cal State Fullerton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 54%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.