Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Earnings growth follows a steady upward trajectory from the early to mid-career period, increasing from $44,282 at six years to $51,171 at eight years and reaching $59,009 at ten years after enrollment. This represents 33.3% growth between the six-year and ten-year marks, indicating consistent career advancement and skill development among graduates.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings exceed the peer average, indicating above-typical outcomes for this institution type.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $16,600 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Student debt levels at CSU Bakersfield remain exceptionally manageable, with median debt of $16,600 ranking in the 83rd percentile nationally for low debt levels. The debt range spans from $4,500 at the 25th percentile to $20,835 at the 75th percentile, indicating that most students graduate with modest borrowing levels.
California State University-Bakersfield achieves above-average return performance, ranking at the 67.4th percentile nationally with earnings that significantly exceed expectations for its student population. Graduates earn $12,288 beyond expectations relative to similar students, placing the university in the 88.3rd percentile for earnings uplift and demonstrating exceptional value creation.
Approximately 23.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and ad...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate the university's comprehensive approach to economic mobility across diverse fields. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads at $99,938, followed by Engineering Science at $75,545 and Computer Science at $73,773, reflecting strong technical and healthcare pathway development.
Liberal arts programs show solid mid-range performance, with General Studies at $52,770 and English at $52,346 demonstrating competitive outcomes for traditionally lower-earning fields. Business Administration serves the largest cohort with 373 graduates earning $50,448, while Corrections Administration provides strong regional career pathways at $50,722.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings distribution shows meaningful variation with the 75th percentile reaching $84,724 compared to $34,128 at the 25th percentile, creating a 2.5:1 ratio that reflects diverse career outcomes across academic programs. Low-income graduates earn $49,000, demonstrating solid economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who comprise the majority of enrollment.
