California State University-Bakersfield
California State University-Bakersfield — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State University-Bakersfield at a Glance
California State University, Bakersfield is a public university in Bakersfield, California, United States. It was established in 1965 as Kern State College and officially in 1968 as California State College Bakersfield on a 375-acre (152 ha) campus, becoming the 20th school in the California State University system. The university offers 39 different bachelor's degree programs, 17 master's degree programs, and a doctoral program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.).
1965
61 years old
$43M
$42.7 million (2024)
10,664
9,115 undergrad · 1,549 grad
691
375 acres
Identity
Is California State University-Bakersfield Worth It?
California State University-Bakersfield is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $5,652/year net price and $59,009 median earnings, graduates earn 10.4× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: California State University-Bakersfield delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How California State University-Bakersfield compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #1 of 138 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Oakland University | 92 | $9,120 | $58,612 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State University-Bakersfield's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in CA.
Best Programs at California State University-Bakersfield
The highest-earning program at California State University-Bakersfield is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $78,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $17,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from California State University-Bakersfield earns $78,300, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $17,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,153 in median debt vs. $12,000 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $5,652/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $78,300 | $78,300 | $12,153 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $50,600 | $50,600 | $12,750 |
| Computer Science | $47,600 | $47,600 | N/A |
| Engineering Science | $39,100 | $39,100 | $18,476 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,200 | $34,200 | $13,764 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,200 | $32,200 | $13,833 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $30,500 | $30,500 | $12,929 |
| Sociology | $30,100 | $30,100 | $15,832 |
| Biology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $23,168 |
| Chemistry | $25,800 | $25,800 | N/A |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | $23,000 | $23,000 | $18,555 |
| Psychology, General | $22,700 | $22,700 | $12,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,300 | $22,300 | $12,834 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $21,600 | $21,600 | $15,246 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $17,000 | $17,000 | $12,000 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Bakersfield, CA
- Student Body
- 8,577 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $5,652
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,009
- Median Student Debt
- $16,600