Hartnell College vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

Hartnell College is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (11,273 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hartnell College is located in Salinas, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hartnell College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hartnell College 22:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Hartnell College vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Hartnell College 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 Hartnell College than CSUMB ($5,246 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 40.5% lower than at Hartnell College ($17,234 vs. $28,953).
• California State University Monterey Bay is 454.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Hartnell College (about $6,375 more per year; $7,779.00 vs. $1,404.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96.4% higher at CSUMB than at Hartnell College (about $10,005 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $10,374.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hartnell College than at California State University Monterey Bay (94% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 94.6% larger than aid received by Hartnell College students ($12,185 vs. $6,263).

Hartnell College vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Hartnell College 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 Hartnell College.

• Hartnell College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Hartnell College - Open admission; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.

Hartnell College vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Hartnell College 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).

• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Hartnell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $36,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hartnell College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 27%)

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.