University of California-Riverside 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
University of California-Riverside holds a 8-point ROI advantage over California State University-Bakersfield, scoring 83/100 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 $14,304 at University of California-Riverside - a difference of $8,652 annually, or roughly $34,608 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of California-Riverside graduates earn a median of $67,699 compared to $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. The payback period is 6 years at University of California-Riverside versus 6.8 years at California State University-Bakersfield.
Graduates leave California State University-Bakersfield with a median $16,600 in debt versus $17,500 at University of California-Riverside. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.48 and 0.42 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of California-... | California State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $15,606 | $8,090 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $49,806 | $20,690 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,304 | $5,652 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $57,216 | $22,608 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $36,800 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $67,699 | $59,009 |
| Graduation Rate | 76.0% | 49.8% |
| Payback Period | 6 yr | 6.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $17,500 | $16,600 |
| Monthly Payment | $186 | $176 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.48 | 0.42 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 72.7% | 62.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 69.2% | 56.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 76.4% | 93.8% |
| Enrollment | 22,593 | 8,577 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Califo... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $8,852 | $3,536 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $9,840 | $3,817 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $13,111 | $5,835 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,571 | $9,480 |
| $110,001+ | $30,393 | $16,069 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Califo... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $117,705 | $80,432 |
| Computer Engineering | $107,193 | $93,797 |
| Electrical Engineering | $102,630 | $97,998 |
| Economics | $66,682 | $78,029 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $72,027 | $61,705 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences | $59,677 | $69,989 |
| Mathematics | $63,596 | $64,470 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $62,211 | $57,529 |
| Biology | $58,339 | $58,885 |
| International Relations | $56,740 | $51,882 |
| History | $51,913 | $56,081 |
| Sociology | $55,682 | $52,618 |
| English Language and Literature | $50,712 | $52,420 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $40,774 | $43,534 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Califo... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 92 | 98 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 84 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 78 | 84 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 86 | 38 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 48 | 22 |
| Overall ROI Score | 83 | 75 |
The Verdict
University of California-Riverside has a meaningfully higher ROI score (83 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.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
University of California-Riverside
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.