California State University Bakersfield opened in September 1970 as the 19th member of the 23-campus California State University system. Its vision is to become the leading campus in the CSU system in terms of faculty and academic excellence and diversity, quality of the student experience and community engagement.

The university is a comprehensive regional university and is committed to excellence in its four schools: Arts & Humanities, Business and Public Administration, Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering, and Social Sciences & Education. The university is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, with six programs also accredited by national accrediting organizations.