California State University-Fresno vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fresno is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fresno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Fresno 22:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

California State University-Fresno vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-Fresno 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 Fresno than CSUMB ($7,834 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 30.6% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($11,960 vs. $17,234).
• California State University Monterey Bay is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-Fresno (about $429 more per year; $7,779.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at CSUMB than at California State University Fresno (about $429 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University Monterey Bay (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 1.2% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($12,326 vs. $12,185).

California State University-Fresno vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-Fresno or CSUMB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSUMB and California State University-Fresno.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 60 points higher than at California State University-Fresno (1000).
• Incoming CSUMB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at California State University-Fresno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 890/1100; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Fresno 16/21; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-Fresno - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than California State University-Fresno (95.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

California State University-Fresno vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-Fresno and CSUMB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Fresno's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Fresno earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($144 vs. $155).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.