CSU Bakersfield vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Texas Southern University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than TSU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 8,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or TSU? 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 TSU ($6,489 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 15.1% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($12,800 vs. $15,076).
• Texas Southern University is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $1,083 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at TSU than at California State University Bakersfield (about $783 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $20,690.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at California State University Bakersfield (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 32% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($12,966 vs. $9,823).

CSU Bakersfield vs. TSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than CSU Bakersfield (93.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 17.9% at TSU.

CSU Bakersfield vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and TSU? 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 Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $16,190 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($13,168 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $167 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($136 vs. $303).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 22%)

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.