California State University-Long Beach 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-Long Beach holds a 11-point ROI advantage over California State University-Bakersfield, scoring 86/100 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 $10,440 at California State University-Long Beach - a difference of $4,788 annually, or roughly $19,152 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California State University-Long Beach graduates earn a median of $64,403 compared to $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. The payback period is 6.2 years at California State University-Long Beach versus 6.8 years at California State University-Bakersfield.
Graduates leave California State University-Long Beach with a median $14,289 in debt versus $16,600 at California State University-Bakersfield. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 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) | $10,440 | $5,652 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $41,760 | $22,608 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $40,000 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,403 | $59,009 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.9% | 49.8% |
| Payback Period | 6.2 yr | 6.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,289 | $16,600 |
| Monthly Payment | $151 | $176 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.36 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 77.4% | 62.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 74.3% | 56.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 46.3% | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 35,924 | 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 | $7,183 | $3,536 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $7,831 | $3,817 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $9,705 | $5,835 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $12,630 | $9,480 |
| $110,001+ | $19,750 | $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 | $111,681 | $102,298 |
| Electrical Engineering | $103,075 | $97,998 |
| Computer Science | $101,428 | $80,432 |
| Computer Engineering | $98,967 | $93,797 |
| Economics | $71,220 | $78,029 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,853 | $61,705 |
| Mathematics | $61,754 | $64,470 |
| Biology | $61,492 | $58,885 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $60,019 | $57,529 |
| International Relations | $59,787 | $51,882 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,513 | $53,715 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $58,137 | $50,989 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,643 | $53,553 |
| History | $52,423 | $56,081 |
| Sociology | $51,982 | $52,618 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 95 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 88 | 84 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 91 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 77 | 38 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 62 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 86 | 75 |
The Verdict
California State University-Long Beach has a meaningfully higher ROI score (86 vs 75). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is noticeably 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-Long Beach
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.