California State University-Fresno 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 State University-Fresno holds a 6-point ROI advantage over California State University-Bakersfield, scoring 81/100 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 $7,000 at California State University-Fresno - a difference of $1,348 annually, or roughly $5,392 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California State University-Fresno graduates earn a median of $61,244 compared to $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. The payback period is 6.4 years at California State University-Fresno versus 6.8 years at California State University-Bakersfield.
Graduates leave California State University-Fresno with a median $14,505 in debt versus $16,600 at California State University-Bakersfield. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.39 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Universi... | California State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,350 | $8,090 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,950 | $20,690 |
| Net Price (avg) | $7,000 | $5,652 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $28,000 | $22,608 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,200 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $61,244 | $59,009 |
| Graduation Rate | 57.0% | 49.8% |
| Payback Period | 6.4 yr | 6.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,505 | $16,600 |
| Monthly Payment | $154 | $176 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.39 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 71.6% | 62.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 67.7% | 56.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 95.3% | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 21,605 | 8,577 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Uni... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $5,105 | $3,536 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,429 | $3,817 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,196 | $5,835 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $10,291 | $9,480 |
| $110,001+ | $16,899 | $16,069 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Uni... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $111,278 | $102,298 |
| Electrical Engineering | $108,038 | $97,998 |
| Computer Engineering | $103,896 | $93,797 |
| Computer Science | $71,490 | $80,432 |
| Economics | $66,749 | $78,029 |
| Mathematics | $55,664 | $64,470 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,133 | $61,705 |
| International Relations | $62,298 | $51,882 |
| Biology | $50,728 | $58,885 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,436 | $57,529 |
| History | $51,676 | $56,081 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $54,849 | $53,553 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $53,438 | $53,715 |
| Sociology | $49,407 | $52,618 |
| English Language and Literature | $47,223 | $52,420 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 87 | 84 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 88 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 54 | 38 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 44 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 81 | 75 |
The Verdict
California State University-Fresno has a meaningfully higher ROI score (81 vs 75). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if California State University-Bakersfield offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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California State University-Fresno
Strong 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.