CSU Bakersfield vs. Laguna College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than Laguna College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Laguna College of Art and Design is in Laguna Beach, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Laguna College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Laguna College of Art and Design 9:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Laguna College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or Laguna College of Art and Design? 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 Laguna College of Art and Design ($6,489 vs. $47,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Bakersfield are 22.9% lower than at Laguna College of Art and Design ($15,076 vs. $19,553).
• Laguna College of Art and Design is 363.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $29,410 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.2% higher at Laguna College of Art and Design than at California State University Bakersfield (about $16,810 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Laguna College of Art and Design than at California State University Bakersfield (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Laguna College of Art and Design students ($12,966 vs. $11,153).

CSU Bakersfield vs. Laguna College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or Laguna College of Art and Design? 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 Laguna College of Art and Design and CSU Bakersfield.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Laguna College of Art and Design - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; Laguna College of Art and Design Aug 15, 2027.
• Laguna College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 23.1% at Laguna College of Art and Design.

CSU Bakersfield vs. Laguna College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and Laguna College of Art and Design? 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).

• Laguna College of Art and Design's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State University Bakersfield's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $13,531 lower median loan debt than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($13,168 vs. $26,699).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($136 vs. $276).
• More Laguna College of Art and Design 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.