Monterey Peninsula College vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, 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 Monterey Peninsula College based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 7,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Monterey Peninsula College is located in Monterey, CA (Midsize Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Monterey Peninsula 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: Monterey Peninsula College 23:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College than CSUMB ($14,483 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 50.9% lower than at Monterey Peninsula College ($17,234 vs. $35,118).
• California State University Monterey Bay is 554.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Monterey Peninsula College (about $6,591 more per year; $7,779.00 vs. $1,188.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.8% higher at CSUMB than at Monterey Peninsula College (about $9,807 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $10,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Monterey Peninsula College 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 139.5% larger than aid received by Monterey Peninsula College students ($12,185 vs. $5,088).

Monterey Peninsula College vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Monterey Peninsula 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 Monterey Peninsula College.

• Monterey Peninsula 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: Monterey Peninsula College - Open admission; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Monterey Peninsula College Aug 29, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.

Monterey Peninsula College vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Monterey Peninsula 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 $6,400 more per year than Monterey Peninsula College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Monterey Peninsula College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 31%)

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.