California State University Monterey Bay
- 4/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Seaside, CA
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0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
7,713- Location Seaside, California
- Website csumb.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Rural Fringe
- Size Mid-size
- Status Non-profit
- 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
CSUMB is rated within the lower 35% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.
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Overall Rating4 out of 10
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Academics3 out of 10
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Resources5 out of 10
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Outcomes5 out of 10
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Value3 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for California State University Monterey Bay within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- GPA 3.45
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Jan 15, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 9.8%
- Application Fee $70
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
$7,779Out of State Resident Tuition
$20,379Breakdown
- Tuition $7,779
- Books and Supplies $899
- Other Fees $1,695
- Room and Board $17,234
- Budget for Other Expenses $4,185
- Total One Year Cost $31,792
- Tuition $20,379
- Books and Supplies $899
- Other Fees $1,695
- Room and Board $17,234
- Budget for Other Expenses $4,185
- Total One Year Cost $44,392
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at California State University Monterey Bay are Liberal Arts and Humanities, Business, and Psychology. 22% of students major in Liberal Arts and Humanities, 16% in Business, and 9% in Psychology.
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Liberal Arts and Humanities 22%
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Business 16%
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Psychology 9%
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Social Sciences 9%
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Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies 8%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering California State University Monterey Bay are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=409698.
GPA calculator: California State University Monterey Bay GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026