CSU Bakersfield vs. OC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Bakersfield is larger than OC based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 5,784 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Olympic College is in Bremerton, WA (Small City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Olympic College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Olympic College 17:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. OC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or OC? 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 OC ($6,489 vs. $8,157).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Olympic College are 30.4% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($10,500 vs. $15,076).
• California State University Bakersfield is 92.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than OC (about $3,893 more per year; $8,090.00 vs. $4,197.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.4% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Olympic College (about $10,950 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $9,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Olympic College (91% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 85% larger than aid received by Olympic College students ($12,966 vs. $7,007).

CSU Bakersfield vs. OC Admissions comparison

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

• Olympic College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; OC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026.

CSU Bakersfield vs. OC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and OC? 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 $12,500 more per year than OC graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $35,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Olympic College graduates have a $1,168 lower median loan debt than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,168).
• Among borrowers, OC graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Bakersfield graduates ($124 vs. $136).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 39%)

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.