At $4,751/yr net price, Bakersfield College graduates earn $37,291/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,291/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,751 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,004 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,291/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,291/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,312 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,126/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,254/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,190/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,237/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,508/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $74,200 | $9,246 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $55,964 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,964 |
The Risk Factor
22.6% of students at Bakersfield College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Bakersfield College gives you one of the cheapest paths into a college credential you'll find, but the payoff on the other end is thin. You'll leave with a median debt around $8,300, which is low enough that most graduates can pay it off. The problem is what the degree earns you: median earnings ten years out sit near $37,000, barely above what you'd make without the credential in Kern County's oil, agriculture, and service economy.
The 22.6% graduation rate is the number that should worry you most. Nearly four out of five students don't finish here on the timeline measured. Your cheap net price only stays cheap if you actually graduate. Pay for years of classes without a degree and the math flips against you fast, even at these prices.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any single-major promise with skepticism and ask the college for placement and salary data before you commit to a track. Career and technical programs tied to local energy, healthcare, and agriculture jobs are your safest bet for turning this degree into wages.
The net price tiers are steady for lower incomes and climb sharply above them. Under $48k, you pay around $4,100 to $4,250 a year. Between $48k and $75k it jumps to $7,190, and over $110k you pay $12,508. So this school is built for lower-income Kern County families who want a low-risk, low-cost entry into college close to home.
Go here if you're disciplined enough to finish and you have a specific local career in mind. Look elsewhere if you're chasing high earnings or need a school that will keep you enrolled to the finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bakersfield College worth the cost for most students?
Bakersfield College offers strong value with a low net price of $4,751 per year and minimal debt. However, the 22.6% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly reduces the school's overall value proposition.
What are the best paying programs at Bakersfield College?
Nursing programs at Bakersfield College provide the strongest return on investment, with registered nursing graduates earning around $74,200 annually. Allied health programs also perform well at $55,964, while liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $21,964.
How much debt do Bakersfield College graduates typically have?
Bakersfield College graduates have relatively low debt loads with a median of $8,312. The low cost of attendance and available financial aid help keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year universities.
Does Bakersfield College have good job placement after graduation?
Ten years after attending, Bakersfield College graduates earn a median of $37,291 annually. The low graduation rate suggests completion is a bigger challenge than job placement for students who do finish their programs.