Life Pacific University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Monterey Bay is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 621 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life Pacific University is located in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Life Pacific University 12:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Life Pacific University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University ($14,493 vs. $21,602).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 29.3% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,190 vs. $17,234).
• Life Pacific University is 184.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $14,339 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $1,739 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Monterey Bay (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 12.4% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($13,696 vs. $12,185).

Life Pacific University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 50 points higher than at Life Pacific University (1010).
• Incoming Life Pacific 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: Life Pacific University 930/1085; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life Pacific University 16/25; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life Pacific University - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Life Pacific University May 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Life Pacific University (95.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Life Pacific University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Life Pacific University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life Pacific 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).

• California State University Monterey Bay's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Life Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $6,530 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($14,000 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($144 vs. $212).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 54%)

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.