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California Aeronautical University

Bakersfield, CA · Suburb · 347 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$36,126
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
35%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$38,361
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$97,827 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
77% typical · not scored
Accredited by Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
About

California Aeronautical University (CAU) in Bakersfield is a specialized aviation institution best known for its fast-track degree programs in professional flight training, aviation business administration, and aircraft maintenance. Operating directly on-site at Meadows Field Airport, the university immerses students in a professional flight environment from day one with immediate access to modern aircraft, advanced simulators, and dispatch centers. Campus culture is tight-knit, collaborative, and career-driven, united by students and industry-experienced faculty who share a singular passion for aeronautics. CAU distinguishes itself through accelerated year-round scheduling that allows students to graduate significantly faster than at traditional universities, bolstered by direct pipeline partnerships with regional airlines to transition graduates quickly into commercial cockpits.

Location
Bakersfield, CA, 93308 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
LAX · Los Angeles
109 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$37,667
Housing & food (on campus)$8,850
Cost of attendance$46,233
Average net price$36,126
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$37,667
Housing & food (on campus)$8,850
Cost of attendance$46,233
Average net price$36,126
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$35,535
$30–48k
$28,863
$48–75k
$35,669
$75–110k
$39,250
$110k+
$43,076
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
35%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
4%
Back for yr 2
69%
Transferred
20%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
38% graduated · 1% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 59% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$37,182
10 yrs after entry$38,361
Debt
Median at graduation$30,705
Monthly payment$326
Middle 50% owe$5.3k–$24.6k
90th percentile$33,292
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

If California Aeronautical University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 87%Women 13%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
8 : 1
Pell grant
46%
First-gen
50%
Family income
$22,891
Independent
65%
Age at entry
26.0
Part-time
0%
Race & ethnicity
White
37%
Hispanic
39%
Black
6%
Asian
10%
Two or more
6%
NH/PI
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$37,182
After 10 yrs
$38,361
Air Transportation36
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Full-time faculty
25%
Faculty salary
$6,232/mo
Teaching spend
$21,411
per student
Federal loans
61%
Classification
Carnegie type
Special focus — engineering & technology
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if California Aeronautical University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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