California State University-Monterey Bay
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 6,819 students.
About This School
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, California with approximately 6,819 undergraduate students enrolled. California State University-Monterey Bay has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 97%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,663 per year. The graduation rate is 59%, and the typical graduate earns $47,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
California State University, Monterey Bay is a public university located in Monterey County, California, United States. The main campus is situated on the site of the former military base Fort Ord, spanning the cities of Seaside and Marina, approximately one mile inland from Monterey Bay along the Central Coast of California. CSUMB also maintains locations in the cities of Monterey and Salinas. Founded in 1994, CSUMB is part of the California State University system and is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. The university is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 95% acceptance rate and $14,487 average net price make this one of the more accessible and affordable CSU options, and the relatively low median debt of $11,000 at graduation is genuinely encouraging. However, the 63% graduation rate means more than one in three students don't finish, which is worth taking seriously before enrolling. Worth considering if you're drawn to the Central Coast, want to keep costs down, and have a clear plan to stay on track — but go in with eyes open about the completion challenge.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 11% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,819 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
California State University-Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955-8001
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.