CSU Bakersfield vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 3,242 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University ($6,489 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 40.3% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($9,000 vs. $15,076).
• South Carolina State University is 36.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $2,970 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at South Carolina State University than at California State University Bakersfield (about $1,060 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at California State University Bakersfield (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 12% larger than aid received by South Carolina State University students ($12,966 vs. $11,579).

CSU Bakersfield vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouth Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than South Carolina State University (82.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 11.4% at South Carolina State University.

CSU Bakersfield vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and South Carolina State University? 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).

• California State University Bakersfield's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than South Carolina State University's (35%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $17,300 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $20,037 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($13,168 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $207 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($136 vs. $343).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 27%)

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.