California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California · Public, 4-year
At a glance
Average net price
$5,652
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
49.8%
Admission rate
94%
Undergrad size
8,577
In-state tuition
$8,090
Out-of-state tuition
$20,690
Cost of attendance
$19,522
Median earnings (10y)
$59,009
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 78.8%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
23 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (30%), humanities & arts (28%), stem (13%).
- STEM13%
- Health4%
- Business13%
- Humanities & arts28%
- Social sciences30%
- Trades & services12%
- Liberal arts15.1%~1,298 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology13.8%~1,186 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Business12.8%~1,094 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Social sciences8.5%~726 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Education7.4%~639 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~551 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~495 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~419 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Communication4.7%~403 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~347 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Engineering3.2%~272 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History2.6%~220 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science2.5%~212 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.8%~156 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~120 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~116 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics0.9%~75 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~60 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Agriculture0.6%~52 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~48 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~40 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~24 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~24 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 713 | $33,538 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 629 | $18,756 | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 571 | $23,911 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 338 | $28,455 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 282 | — | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 263 | $25,051 | — |
| Education, General. | Master's | 256 | $66,597 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 202 | $32,507 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 188 | $81,247 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 186 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 159 | $63,530 | — |
| Social Work. | Master's | 144 | $57,342 | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 135 | $25,618 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 123 | — | — |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 119 | — | — |
| History. | Bachelor's | 119 | — | — |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | Bachelor's | 90 | $26,566 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 69 | — | — |
| Public Administration. | Master's | 68 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 65 | — | — |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 63 | — | — |
| Engineering Science. | Bachelor's | 60 | $59,382 | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 51 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 51 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor's | 48 | — | — |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor's | 42 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 34 | — | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 34 | $38,472 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 34 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor's | 26 | — | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master's | 26 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Bachelor's | 25 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | Bachelor's | 23 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies. | Bachelor's | 21 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor's | 19 | — | — |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Bachelor's | 15 | — | — |
| Philosophy. | Bachelor's | 15 | — | — |
| Anthropology. | Bachelor's | 15 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Master's | 14 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Master's | 14 | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About California State University-Bakersfield
California State University-Bakersfield is a large institution located in Bakersfield, California, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 8,577 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Liberal arts, Psychology, Business.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at California State University-Bakersfield — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $5,652 per year, which is very affordable compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $8,090 for in-state students and $20,690 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $19,522 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 49.8%, a average completion outcome. 78.8% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $59,009 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
California State University-Bakersfield confers degrees and certificates across 23 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Liberal arts, Psychology, Business. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (30% of credentials), humanities & arts (28% of credentials), stem (13% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
California State University-Bakersfield accepts 94% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission.
Location & campus
Set in Bakersfield, California (city), California State University-Bakersfield draws students from across California and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about California State University-Bakersfield
Q.How much does California State University-Bakersfield cost?
The average net price at California State University-Bakersfield is $5,652 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $19,522.
Q.What is the graduation rate at California State University-Bakersfield?
California State University-Bakersfield has a 6-year graduation rate of 49.8% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into California State University-Bakersfield?
California State University-Bakersfield admits 94% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do California State University-Bakersfield graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median California State University-Bakersfield graduate earns $59,009 per year.
Q.What is tuition at California State University-Bakersfield?
Published tuition is $8,090 in-state and $20,690 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is California State University-Bakersfield located?
California State University-Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California (ZIP 93311).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with California State University-Bakersfield at their official website.