The Roadrunners compete at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level as a member of the Big West Conference.

[4] Following a period as one of a tiny number of Division I independents, CSU Bakersfield joined the Western Athletic Conference in July 2013 for most sports.

[7] Most varsity teams representing California State University, Bakersfield compete in the Big West Conference.

The Roadrunners won the 2015 WAC Baseball Tournament Championship in Mesa, Arizona and earned their first bid to the NCAA Regionals.

CSUB lost twice to the host Bruins but managed to win the program's first postseason game when they defeated 2014 College World Series participant Ole Miss 2-1.

The Roadrunner men's soccer program won the 1997 Division II National Championship and has provided several MLS and international professionals to various rosters.

The most notable soccer alumnus is Los Angeles Galaxy star and US Men's National Team striker Gyasi Zardes.

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners men's soccer team have an NCAA Division I Tournament record of 0–1 through one appearance.

The Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners women's volleyball team have an NCAA Division I Tournament record of 0–2 through two appearances.

[22] The Cal State Bakersfield men's wrestling team appeared in the NCAA Division I Tournament thirty times, with their highest finish being 3rd place in the 1995–96 school year.

The CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners competed in the NCAA Tournament across 7 active sports (5 men's and 2 women's) 38 times at the Division I level.

[25] CSUB won 30 national championships and received the Sears Directors Cup in 1998 at the NCAA Division II level.