Marshall University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

Marshall University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (11,958 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marshall University is located in Huntington, WV (Small City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Marshall 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: Marshall University 16:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Marshall University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marshall 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 Marshall University than CSUMB ($8,076 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 22.9% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($13,292 vs. $17,234).
• Marshall University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $1,383 more per year; $9,162.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at CSUMB than at Marshall University (about $37 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $20,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at California State University Monterey Bay (97% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 10.4% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($13,448 vs. $12,185).

Marshall University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marshall 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 Marshall University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 30 points higher than at Marshall University (1030).
• Incoming Marshall University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marshall University 910/1150; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marshall University 19/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marshall University - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Marshall University (95.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at Marshall University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Marshall University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marshall 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).

• Marshall University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $9,134 lower median loan debt than Marshall University graduates ($14,000 vs. $23,134).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marshall University graduates ($144 vs. $239).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 43%)

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.