Skip to content

California State University-Bakersfield vs California State University-Northridge

California State University-Bakersfield is a public university in Bakersfield, CA, and California State University-Northridge is a public university in Northridge, CA. California State University-Northridge is the more selective of the two, admitting about 93% of applicants against 94% at California State University-Bakersfield. California State University-Bakersfield is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $5,652 a year against $7,021 at California State University-Northridge. About 57% of students graduate at California State University-Northridge, compared with 50% at California State University-Bakersfield. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-Northridge alumni earn a median of about $59,115, against $59,009 for California State University-Bakersfield.

California State University-Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA · Public

California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Bakersfield, CA
Northridge, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
8,577
32,691
Acceptance rate
94%
93%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.23–3.73
~3.33 avg
SAT (middle 50%)
Not reported
900–1110
ACT (middle 50%)
Not reported
16–22
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$5,652
$7,021
Full cost / yr
$19,522
$20,485
In-state tuition
$8,090
$7,458
Out-of-state tuition
$20,690
$20,058
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$3,536
$4,905
$30k - $48k
$3,817
$5,450
$48k - $75k
$5,835
$7,744
$75k - $110k
$9,480
$11,262
Over $110k
$16,069
$18,040
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
57%
Freshman retention
79%
73%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,282
$44,372
Median earnings (10 yr)
$59,009
$59,115
Median debt at graduation
$16,600
$13,872
Student body
Pell grant recipients
61%
56%
First-generation students
58%
54%
International students
1%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California State University-Bakersfield or California State University-Northridge harder to get into?
California State University-Northridge is harder to get into. It admits about 93% of applicants, compared with 94% at California State University-Bakersfield. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Bakersfield or California State University-Northridge?
California State University-Bakersfield is cheaper on average. Students pay about $5,652 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $7,021 at California State University-Northridge. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Bakersfield and California State University-Northridge?
Before aid, California State University-Bakersfield costs about $19,522 a year and California State University-Northridge about $20,485. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Bakersfield or California State University-Northridge?
California State University-Bakersfield. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $3,536 there, against about $4,905 at California State University-Northridge. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California State University-Bakersfield or California State University-Northridge?
California State University-Northridge is the larger of the two, with about 32,691 undergraduates against 8,577 at California State University-Bakersfield.
Does California State University-Bakersfield or California State University-Northridge have a better graduation rate?
California State University-Northridge has the higher graduation rate, at about 57% against 50% at California State University-Bakersfield.
Do graduates of California State University-Bakersfield or California State University-Northridge earn more?
California State University-Northridge alumni earn more on average: a median of about $59,115 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,009 for California State University-Bakersfield. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California State University-Bakersfield and California State University-Northridge require SAT or ACT scores?
California State University-Bakersfield is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California State University-Northridge is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school