California State University-Northridge 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-Northridge holds a 5-point ROI advantage over California State University-Bakersfield, scoring 80/100 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 $7,021 at California State University-Northridge - a difference of $1,369 annually, or roughly $5,476 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, California State University-Northridge graduates earn a median of $59,115 compared to $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. The payback period is 7 years at California State University-Northridge versus 6.8 years at California State University-Bakersfield.
Graduates leave California State University-Northridge with a median $13,872 in debt versus $16,600 at California State University-Bakersfield. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 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 | $7,458 | $8,090 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,058 | $20,690 |
| Net Price (avg) | $7,021 | $5,652 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $28,084 | $22,608 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,400 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,115 | $59,009 |
| Graduation Rate | 57.0% | 49.8% |
| Payback Period | 7 yr | 6.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $13,872 | $16,600 |
| Monthly Payment | $147 | $176 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.37 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.8% | 62.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 65.5% | 56.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 93.5% | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 32,691 | 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 | $4,905 | $3,536 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,450 | $3,817 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,744 | $5,835 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $11,262 | $9,480 |
| $110,001+ | $18,040 | $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 | $116,613 | $102,298 |
| Electrical Engineering | $104,065 | $97,998 |
| Computer Science | $101,348 | $80,432 |
| Computer Engineering | $101,021 | $93,797 |
| Economics | $72,890 | $78,029 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,760 | $61,705 |
| Mathematics | $63,077 | $64,470 |
| Biology | $59,100 | $58,885 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $52,772 | $57,529 |
| International Relations | $57,527 | $51,882 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,138 | $50,989 |
| History | $45,821 | $56,081 |
| Sociology | $54,500 | $52,618 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,169 | $53,715 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $50,663 | $53,553 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 84 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 54 | 38 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 42 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 80 | 75 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California State University-Northridge edges out California State University-Bakersfield by 5 points (80 vs 75), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
California State University-Northridge
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.