CSU Bakersfield vs. FIDM LA

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. FIDM LA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or FIDM LA? 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 FIDM LA ($6,489 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 31.7% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($15,076 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 332.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $26,910 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.2% higher at FIDM LA than at California State University Bakersfield (about $14,310 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (91% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 6.7% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($13,834 vs. $12,966).

CSU Bakersfield vs. FIDM LA Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. FIDM LA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and FIDM LA? 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $168 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($13,000 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($134 vs. $136).
• More FIDM LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Bakersfield students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.