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    California State University-Monterey Bay

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    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Scholarships360 helps students and families make informed decisions about scholarships, financial aid, college, and student loans by providing research-based information, tools, and guidance. Our editorial content is created by our team and reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and usefulness. When appropriate, articles may be reviewed by editors or subject-matter experts. We work to keep our content current, but information such as scholarship deadlines, eligibility requirements, interest rates, fees, and partner offers may change after publication.

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    Overview

    California State University-Monterey Bay is a public 4-year college located in Seaside, California. There are currently 5,811 undergraduates at CSUMB and the school’s acceptance rate is 95%. The tuition at CSUMB is $7,437 for in-state students and $19,317 for out-of-state.

    California State University-Monterey Bay
    21 Suburb
    Suburban schools are a great option for students who want to take advantage of the amenities of the city while escaping the hustle and bustle. At a suburban school you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the city, but you will maintain a strong campus culture and remain grounded in your college’s community.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $28,719

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $26,112

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $14,487

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition & Fees
    $7,437
    Books & Supplies
    $864
    Room & Board
    $16,413
    Other
    $4,005

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $28,719
    Out-of-State
    Tuition & Fees
    $19,317
    Books & Supplies
    $864
    Room & Board
    $16,413
    Other
    $4,005

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $40,599

    Since CSUMB is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at CSUMB is $28,719 for in-state students in CA, and $40,599 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at CSUMB would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    California State University-Monterey Bay Financial Aid

    To apply for financial aid at California State University-Monterey Bay, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


    The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.


    The FAFSA code for California State University-Monterey Bay is 032603.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Using State Grants at CSUMB

    If you reside in California and are considering CSUMB, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.

    Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange

    CSUMB is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at CSUMB. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.

    Pell Grants at California State University-Monterey Bay

    40% of students at California State University-Monterey Bay receive Pell Grants.


    The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at CSUMB. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:


    California State University-Monterey Bay Financial Aid Resources

    For more information about financial aid at CSUMB, or for questions that are specific to your financial situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    95%

    Admission Rate

    Is CSUMB test-optional?

    California State University-Monterey Bay is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.

    What is the application deadline at CSUMB?

    December
    16

    Regular Decision

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 16:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 63%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Psychology

    15%

    15% of graduates

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    13%

    13% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    13%

    13% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    11%

    11% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Family & Consumer Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Mathematics

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Agriculture & Agriculture Operations

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 5,811

    Pell Grant 43%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 18%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 11%

    Percent Male / Female 41% / 59%

    Ethnic Diversity at CSUMB

    54% Hispanic

    27% White

    6% Asian / Pacific Islander

    5% Multiracial

    3% Unknown

    3% Black

    2% International / Non-Citizen

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $59,247

    Median Debt $12,750

    Debt 10 years after graduation $135

    Graduation Rate 63%

    What is the graduation rate at California State University-Monterey Bay?

    63% of students who start at California State University-Monterey Bay finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 5% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of California State University-Monterey Bay go on to earn?

    The median income of students 10 years after starting at California State University-Monterey Bay is $59,247. This is $8,856 more than the national median.


    This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from California State University-Monterey Bay who received federal financial aid.


    Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at CSUMB take out in loans?

    Graduates of CSUMB take out a median of $12,750 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

    If you represent California State University-Monterey Bay and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.

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