CSU Bakersfield vs. DSC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than DSC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Dalton State College is in Dalton, GA (Small City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dalton State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Dalton State College 21:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. DSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or DSC? 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 Dalton State College than CSU Bakersfield ($5,625 vs. $6,489).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dalton State College are 30.9% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($10,419 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 142.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSC (about $4,754 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $3,336.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 94.2% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Dalton State College (about $10,034 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $10,656.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dalton State College than at California State University Bakersfield (92% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 94.9% larger than aid received by Dalton State College students ($12,966 vs. $6,654).

CSU Bakersfield vs. DSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or DSC? 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 DSC and CSU Bakersfield.

• Dalton State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; DSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; DSC Jul 1, 2027.

CSU Bakersfield vs. DSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and DSC? 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 Bakersfield's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Dalton State College's (16%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $15,800 more per year than DSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $1,719 lower median loan debt than DSC graduates ($13,168 vs. $14,887).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DSC graduates ($136 vs. $153).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DSC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 42%)

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.