Bakersfield College is a public community college in Bakersfield, discover here California, and one of the oldest continually operating community colleges in the United States, established in 1913 . It serves a large and diverse student population, with a strong focus on transfer preparation and career technical education.

Academic Programs and Transfer Pathways

Bakersfield College offers a robust array of programs designed to help students transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The college provides 2 Bachelor of Science degrees, 37 Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT), 57 Associate Degrees (AA/AS), and over 130 certificates . The most popular program by far is Liberal Arts and Sciences, which awarded over 2,000 degrees in a recent year . Other notable career and technical programs include Registered Nursing, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration, and Automotive Mechanics .

To support transfer, the college has pioneered initiatives like the Finish-in-4 Program with California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), and the Program Pathways Mapper to help students plan their academic journey . The Early College program also allows high school students to begin earning college credits .

Enrollment and Student Body

Bakersfield College serves approximately 46,000 students annually, with a total enrollment of around 30,000 in recent years . The student body is 65% Hispanic, and the college is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) . Many students attend part-time, and the college offers classes at multiple locations, additional resources including the main campus in northeast Bakersfield, the Delano Campus, and various other community sites, as well as online .

Affordability and Financial Aid

Bakersfield College is one of the most affordable options in the region. For the 2025-2026 academic year, in-state tuition and fees are $1,430**, while **out-of-state tuition is $11,300 . The average net price (what students pay after grants and scholarships) is approximately $5,905 to $8,878, depending on the source . The college offers over 300 unique scholarships and provides federal and state aid, work-study, and other resources to help students pay for school .

Student Outcomes and Success Initiatives

The college has been actively working to improve student success through its Guided Pathways framework, which includes milestones like completing transfer-level math and English in the first year . Recent data shows that in Fall 2024, 36% of students completed transfer-level English in their first year, and 30% completed transfer-level math . The fall-to-fall retention rate for degree/transfer students reached 63% in Fall 2024 . Bakersfield College has also eliminated the degree completion equity gap for Latino/a/x students, with their share of awards aligning with their representation in the student body .

Campus and Community Impact

The college is a pillar of the Kern County community, contributing to its intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality . A $502 million bond (Measure J) passed in 2016 is funding significant upgrades to the campus, including modernized facilities to support student services and academic programs . The college also operates the Renegade Nexus, a basic needs center that provides a food pantry, transportation assistance, and mental health services to support students’ holistic well-being .

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