California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs California State University-Bakersfield
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo holds a 21-point ROI advantage over California State University-Bakersfield, scoring 96/100 versus 75/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Bakersfield comes in at $5,652 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo - a difference of $11,013 annually, or roughly $44,052 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn a median of $90,768 compared to $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. The payback period is 3.7 years at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo versus 6.8 years at California State University-Bakersfield.
Graduates leave California State University-Bakersfield with a median $16,600 in debt versus $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.34 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California Polytechnic St... | California State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $13,596 | $8,090 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $34,665 | $20,690 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,665 | $5,652 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $66,660 | $22,608 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $54,700 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $90,768 | $59,009 |
| Graduation Rate | 86.4% | 49.8% |
| Payback Period | 3.7 yr | 6.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,500 | $16,600 |
| Monthly Payment | $196 | $176 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.34 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 91.5% | 62.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 88.5% | 56.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 31.3% | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 21,996 | 8,577 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California Polytechn... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,529 | $3,536 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,253 | $3,817 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,896 | $5,835 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $15,786 | $9,480 |
| $110,001+ | $27,772 | $16,069 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California Polytechn... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $154,784 | $80,432 |
| Computer Engineering | $148,950 | $93,797 |
| Electrical Engineering | $125,240 | $97,998 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $110,902 | $61,705 |
| Economics | $98,927 | $78,029 |
| Mathematics | $83,187 | $64,470 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | $68,965 | $82,315 |
| International Relations | $81,843 | $51,882 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $75,223 | $50,989 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $69,227 | $69,989 |
| Sociology | $69,883 | $52,618 |
| Biology | $69,854 | $58,885 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $68,171 | $57,529 |
| History | $66,518 | $56,081 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $64,579 | $53,553 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California Polytechn... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 98 | 84 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 92 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 94 | 38 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 97 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 96 | 75 |
The Verdict
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo significantly outperforms California State University-Bakersfield on financial ROI (96 vs 75). The 21-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless California State University-Bakersfield offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
California State University-Bakersfield
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.