CSU Bakersfield vs. Indian River State College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indian River State College is larger than CSU Bakersfield based on total student enrollment (15,429 students vs. 10,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Indian River State College is in Fort Pierce, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indian River State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Indian River State College 27:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Indian River State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Indian River State College? 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 Indian River State College than CSU Bakersfield ($4,427 vs. $6,489).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indian River State College are 40.2% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($9,015 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 192.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Indian River State College (about $5,326 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $2,764.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.8% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Indian River State College (about $10,489 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $10,201.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Indian River State College (91% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 86% larger than aid received by Indian River State College students ($12,966 vs. $6,970).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Indian River State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Indian River State College? 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 Indian River State College and CSU Bakersfield.

• Indian River State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; Indian River State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Indian River State College Aug 2, 2027.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Indian River State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Indian River State College? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than Indian River State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indian River State College graduates have a $6,459 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($6,709 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, Indian River State College graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($69 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Indian River State College students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 38%)

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.