CSUMB vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Monterey Bay 24:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

CSUMB vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUMB or CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands than CSUMB ($10,632 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 10.1% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($15,490 vs. $17,234).
• California State University Monterey Bay is 8.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $620 more per year; $7,779.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at CSUMB than at California State University Channel Islands (about $620 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at California State University Monterey Bay (79% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 2.8% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($12,528 vs. $12,185).

CSUMB vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUMB or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and CSUMB.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUMB - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than CSU Channel Islands (94.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at CSUMB vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

CSUMB vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUMB and CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $800 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,183 lower median loan debt than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,183).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($144 vs. $156).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Channel Islands students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 66%)

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.