California Baptist University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Baptist University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (11,902 students vs. 7,713 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

California Baptist University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University or CSUMB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Monterey Bay than California Baptist University ($14,493 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 29.6% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,140 vs. $17,234).
• California Baptist University is 430% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $33,449 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 102.3% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $20,849 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University Monterey Bay (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 119.5% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($26,743 vs. $12,185).

California Baptist University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or CSUMB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSUMB and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Baptist University (1060) is the same as at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman California Baptist University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

California Baptist University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and CSUMB? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $200 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($14,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($144 vs. $279).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.