CSU Bakersfield vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 10.9% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($13,431 vs. $15,076).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.3% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $17,020 more per year; $37,710 vs. $20,690).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Bakersfield (98% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 113.2% larger than aid received by California State University Bakersfield students ($27,646 vs. $12,966).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU Bakersfield and La Sierra University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $16,832 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($13,168 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $174 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($136 vs. $310).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (54% vs. 52%).

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