Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Bakersfield vs Claremont McKenna College: which has better ROI?
Option A Bakersfield, CA
California State University-Bakersfield
- Net price / year
- $5,652
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,009
- Payback
- 2.1 yrs
Option B Claremont, CA
Claremont McKenna College
- Net price / year
- $28,849
- Earnings, 10 years
- $104,736
- Payback
- 2 yrs
Claremont McKenna College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $115,396 in 2 years versus 2.1 years at California State University-Bakersfield, on median earnings of $104,736 vs $59,009 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Bakersfield | Claremont McKenna College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,652 | $28,849 |
| Total net cost | $22,608 | $115,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,009 | $104,736 |
| Median debt | $16,600 | $13,500 |
| Payback | 2.1 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $190,372 | $1,012,124 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State University-Bakersfield or Claremont McKenna College?
California State University-Bakersfield, at $5,652 a year after aid versus $28,849 — a gap of $23,197 a year, or $92,788 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do California State University-Bakersfield or Claremont McKenna College graduates earn more?
Claremont McKenna College graduates report a median $104,736 ten years after entry, $45,727 more than the $59,009 at California State University-Bakersfield. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, California State University-Bakersfield or Claremont McKenna College?
Claremont McKenna College: its completers carry a median $13,500 in federal loans versus $16,600 at California State University-Bakersfield, a difference of $3,100. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
91% of students finish at Claremont McKenna College, against 50% at California State University-Bakersfield. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.