Cost of Attendance Budgets

The following provides budget information for students who are admitted to the University as California residents, non-residents, or Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program participants.

California Resident
Expenses Commuter On-Campus Housing Off-Campus Housing
Systemwide Tuition Fee $6,450 $6,450 $6,450
Mandatory Campus Fees $2,046 $2,046 $2,046
Living Expenses (Food) $8,948 $5,244 $7,648
Living Expenses (Housing) $0 $10,354 $10,734
Books & Supplies $978 $978 $978
Transportation $2,474 $1,250 $2,536
Personal Expenses  $3,144 $2,528 $4,274
Direct Loan Fees* $130 $130 $130
TOTAL   $24,170 $28,980  $34,796

 

Non-California Resident
Expenses Commuter On-Campus Housing Off-Campus Housing
Non-Resident Tuition** $10,656 $10,656 $10,656
Systemwide Tuition Fee $6,450 $6,450

$6,450
Mandatory Campus Fees $2,046 $2,046 $2,046
Living Expenses (Food) $8,948 $5,244 $7,648
Living Expenses (Housing) $0 $10,354 $10,734
Books & Supplies $978 $978 $978
Transportation $2,474 $1,250 $2,536
Personal Expenses $3,144 $2,528 $4,274
Direct Loan Fees* $130 $130 $130
TOTAL   $34,826 $39,636 $45,452

 

Western Undergraduate Exchange

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE—pronounced "woo-ee") Program is a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). Through WUE, students in western states may enroll in more than 140 two-year and four-year college institutions at a reduced tuition level: 150 percent of the institution's regular resident tuition. The program began in 1987, and all WICHE states have now signed the agreement. Students from all WICHE member states are eligible to request the WUE tuition discount. Please note that effective January 2008, residents of Hawaii are now eligible to enroll as WUE students in both two- and four-year institutions. WUE member states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Search the WUE Online Database to see which institutions participate and which programs are available at the discounted WUE rate. WUE tuition is considerably less than paying full nonresident tuition. At CSUB, all our undergraduate majors (except Nursing) are available to WUE students. For more information, please contact the CSUB Admissions Office at (661) 654-3036.
Expenses Commuter On-Campus Housing Off-Campus Housing
Tuition Fee $9,675 $9,675 $9,675
Mandatory Campus Fees $2,046 $2,046 $2,046
Living Expenses (Food) $8,948 $5,244 $7,648
Living Expenses (Housing) $0 $10,354 $10,734
Books & Supplies $978 $978 $978
Transportation $2,474 $1,250 $2,536
Personal Expenses  $3,144 $2,528 $4,274
Direct Loan Fees* $130 $130 $130
TOTAL $27,395 $32,205 $38,021

 *Estimate based on loan amount for an independent 3rd/4th-year student
** $444 per unit. Estimate based on 12 units per semester

 

CSUB develops the Cost of Attendance (COA) annually in accordance with guidance from section 472 of the Higher Education Act that outlines the costs that may be included. Each student is provided with a standard budget based on their living arrangement (on-campus, off-campus, or with parent/relative). The standard COA consists of five categories:

  1. Tuition/Fees
  2. Books/Course Materials and Equipment
  3. Transportation
  4. Living Expense (Food and Housing)
  5. Miscellaneous/Personal

A standardized set of budgets is used as the basis for determining the cost of attendance at CSUB. The figures used for all categories (except Tuition & Fees and On-Campus Room & Board) represent the average expenses reported by CSUB students in the Student Expenses and Resources Survey (SEARS), conducted by the California Student Aid Commission. 

No difference is made with respect to the mode of instruction in determining costs for students that are enrolled in fully online programs or online courses that have the same elements included in their cost of attendance budget.  

o   Tuition & Mandatory Fees: Cost paid to CSU Bakersfield for courses, including mandatory campus fees. This figure is based off anticipated enrollment in 7 or more units.

o   Living Expenses (Food and Housing): The average cost per academic year to live in the Bakersfield/Kern County area while attending CSU Bakersfield.  Actual cost may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances (on-campus, off-campus, living at home).

  •  With Parent Food and Housing: reflects the lower costs of living at home.
  • On-Campus Food and Housing (Residence Halls): is based on the average cost for a dorm room and the unlimited meal plan, which provides 21 meals per week
  • Off-Campus Food and Housing: is based on the average reported by CSUB students on the SEARS survey.  These figures assume a roommate
    • Food = $850 per month
    • Housing = $1193 per month

o   Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment: The average amount students spend on books and educational supplies.

o   Transportation: The average transportation cost between campus, residences, and place of work (includes bus fare, gasoline, tolls, parking, etc.).  *Amount does not include car payments, insurance, repairs, or license fees. 

o   Personal Expenses: The average amount of personal expenses, which include clothing, personal care, cell phone plan, and health care costs not covered by insurance.

o   Federal Direct Loan Fees: For students who borrow a Direct Loan, the average cost of the loan origination fees; for parents who borrow a Direct PLUS loan on behalf of their dependent students, the actual cost of the PLUS loan origination fee.  

If a student has additional “exceptional” expenses beyond the standard Cost of Attendance (COA), an appeal may be used to document and potentially include the expenses to increase the (COA). While this does not always result in additional aid, it does increase the maximum limit of aid a student may receive. The appeals are considered professional judgments on a case-by-case basis, per federal regulation.

Those eligible categories are:

  • Cost of obtaining a license, certification, or first professional credential
  • Costs of study abroad
  • Disability-related expenses
  • Costs for dependent care
  • The purchase of a personal computer needed for school
  • Transportation expenses in excess of standard budget amount as a result of commuting from outside of Bakersfield
  • Medical, dental, or optical expenses not covered by insurance
  • Vehicle repair expenses for the car you use to commute to and from school

If you have any of the eligible and wish them to be considered, please log in to Student Forms to complete the appeal.

Eligibility for financial aid is based on one's estimated financial need, which is calculated using a simple formula:

Cost of Attendance (COA) – Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need

It is important to note that a student is not required to have financial need to be eligible to receive unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, PLUS loans, or merit-based scholarships.

Based on a formula approved by Congress, the U.S. Department of Education uses the information you reported on the FAFSA to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI). This number appears on your Student Aid Report (SAR) and represents the amount the student and his or her family are expected to contribute to the Cost of Attendance (COA).

Registration Fees

View the Tuition Fee Detail.

CSU Disclaimer

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Tuition fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial tuition fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed tuition fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester has begun. All CSU-listed tuition fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees.

Actual Housing Cost

For informational purposes only: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, CSUB provides the typical market cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the Bakersfield area.