Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Seaside, California |
| Online | csumb.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Rural Fringe |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) occupies the former Fort Ord military base along California's central coast, located one mile from Monterey Bay and five miles from downtown Monterey. The campus, established in 1994 on 1,350 acres of the decommissioned base, retains some converted military buildings while featuring modern academic facilities and student housing. CSUMB operates as a public university within the California State University system, offering undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in marine science, environmental studies, business, and visual and performing arts. The university maintains a focus on service learning and community engagement, requiring students to complete service hours as part of their degree requirements. Residential students are housed in a mix of renovated military housing and newly constructed dormitories, with most first-year students required to live on campus.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CSUMB is rated within the lower 36% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California State University Monterey Bay within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#861 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#330 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#53 in Best Colleges in California
#22 in Best Public Colleges in California
#251 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 960/1160 |
| ACT | 17/23 |
| GPA | 3.45 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 15, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,152 |
| Other Fees | $1,581 |
| Room and Board | $16,262 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,051 |
| Total One Year Cost | $27,788 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,152 |
| Other Fees | $1,581 |
| Room and Board | $16,262 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,051 |
| Total One Year Cost | $39,668 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 22% |
| Business | 16% |
| Psychology | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering CSUMB are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=409698 IPEDS survey data for California State University Monterey Bay.
Current students may use the California State University Monterey Bay GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024