CSUMB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 286 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Monterey Bay 24:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

CSUMB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSUMB or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($14,493 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 42.7% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($9,868 vs. $17,234).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 289.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $22,486 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $9,886 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Monterey Bay (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 39.4% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($16,982 vs. $12,185).

CSUMB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSUMB or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and CSUMB.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 60 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Monterey Bay 17/23; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSUMB - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at CSUMB vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

CSUMB vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSUMB and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 State University Monterey Bay's six-year graduation rate is 38%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for John Paul the Great Catholic University.
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay have median earnings of about $45,300 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for John Paul the Great Catholic University.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $11,750 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($14,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($144 vs. $266).

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.