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California Aeronautical University

Bakersfield, California 93308

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitSuburban

Close-knit campus

California Aeronautical University is a private suburban institution in Bakersfield, California. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 383 undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

42% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $38,361 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $38,205.

Established
1926
Mascot
Ernie the Eagle
Type
Private university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

Acceptance
SAT Avg
383Students
14:1Student:Faculty
42%Grad Rate
$38,361Earnings 10yr
$38,205Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$35,465
Room & Board$8,150
Books & Supplies$0
Total Cost of Attendance$44,854
Average Net Price$38,205
Median Debt at Graduation$30,705
Monthly Payment (10yr)$326

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$34,367
$30–48K$34,853
$48–75K$37,028
$75–110K$41,966
$110K+$43,331

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

34.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

55.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$13,354

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

3

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (20)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

62%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
383
Gender Split
11% / 89%
Women / Men
First Generation
50%
Pell Grant Recipients
50%

Race & Ethnicity

White 40%
Black 7%
Hispanic 38%
Asian 9%
Two+ 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate41.9%
Freshman Retention62.1%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$37,182
10 Years$38,361

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#4
vs 2024
Forbes
#294
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History On December 17, 1925, Talton Higbee Embry and John Paul Riddle founded the Embry–Riddle Company at Lunken Airport in Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • In spring 1926, the company opened the Embry–Riddle School of Aviation.
  • Following a merger with the Aviation Corporation (AVCO), the Embry–Riddle flying school was closed in 1930.
  • In 1939, Riddle, John Graham McKay and wife Isabel re-established the school in Miami.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

146Very High

Estimated from CA state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M
106 mi(184 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
217 mi(376 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
247 mi(428 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles109 mi
SJC San Jose208 mi
SAN San Diego215 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2590 mi · ~74h 49m drive
New York, NY2450 mi · ~70h 47m drive
Hartford, CT2511 mi · ~72h 32m drive
Providence, RI2575 mi · ~74h 23m drive
Albany, NY2451 mi · ~70h 48m drive
Syracuse, NY2329 mi · ~67h 17m drive
Rochester, NY2255 mi · ~65h 9m drive
Buffalo, NY2191 mi · ~63h 18m drive
Philadelphia, PA2395 mi · ~69h 11m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2138 mi · ~61h 46m drive
Harrisburg, PA2302 mi · ~66h 30m drive
Newark, NJ2441 mi · ~70h 31m drive
Washington, DC2305 mi · ~66h 35m drive
Baltimore, MD2324 mi · ~67h 8m drive
Atlanta, GA1965 mi · ~56h 46m drive
Charlotte, NC2140 mi · ~61h 49m drive
Raleigh, NC2254 mi · ~65h 7m drive
Miami, FL2389 mi · ~69h 1m drive
Orlando, FL2244 mi · ~64h 50m drive
Tampa, FL2199 mi · ~63h 32m drive
Nashville, TN1801 mi · ~52h 2m drive
New Orleans, LA1720 mi · ~49h 41m drive
Richmond, VA2297 mi · ~66h 21m drive
Chicago, IL1742 mi · ~50h 19m drive
Detroit, MI1978 mi · ~57h 9m drive
Minneapolis, MN1503 mi · ~43h 25m drive
St. Louis, MO1600 mi · ~46h 13m drive
Kansas City, MO1365 mi · ~39h 26m drive
Indianapolis, IN1815 mi · ~52h 26m drive
Columbus, OH1982 mi · ~57h 15m drive
Cleveland, OH2047 mi · ~59h 8m drive
Milwaukee, WI1736 mi · ~50h 9m drive
Dallas, TX1283 mi · ~37h 4m drive
Houston, TX1429 mi · ~41h 17m drive
Austin, TX1284 mi · ~37h 6m drive
San Antonio, TX1266 mi · ~36h 34m drive
Los Angeles, CA106 mi · ~3h 4m drive
San Francisco, CA247 mi · ~7h 8m drive
San Diego, CA217 mi · ~6h 16m drive
Seattle, WA858 mi · ~24h 47m drive
Portland, OR722 mi · ~20h 51m drive
Denver, CO824 mi · ~23h 48m drive
Phoenix, AZ420 mi · ~12h 8m drive
Salt Lake City, UT535 mi · ~15h 27m drive
Honolulu, HI2533 mi · ~73h 11m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

California Aeronautical University Application Checklist

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