Kean vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

Kean University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (13,905 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kean 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: Kean University 17:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Kean vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean 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 Kean University than CSUMB ($12,708 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 5.6% lower than at Kean University ($17,234 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 83.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $6,520 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.1% higher at Kean than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $2,067 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at California State University Monterey Bay (90% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 23.5% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($15,048 vs. $12,185).

Kean vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean 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 Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 20 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; California 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: Kean - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Kean (3.2).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Kean vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $11,000 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($14,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($144 vs. $258).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 52%)

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.