Central Washington University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

Central Washington University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Washington University 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: Central Washington University 15:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Central Washington University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington 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 Central Washington University ($14,493 vs. $19,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 4.4% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,480 vs. $17,234).
• Central Washington University is 21.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $1,638 more per year; $9,417.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at Central Washington University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $7,147 more per year; $27,526.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at California State University Monterey Bay (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($12,185 vs. $8,816).

Central Washington University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Washington University 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 Central Washington University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 20 points higher than at Central Washington University (1040).
• Incoming Central Washington University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at CSUMB (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 930/1150; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 17/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Washington University - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Central Washington University (3.08).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Central Washington University (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Central Washington University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Washington University 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).

• Central Washington University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Central Washington University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,800 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $6,737 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($14,000 vs. $20,737).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($144 vs. $214).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.