NSU vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD 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 NSU based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern State University is located in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northern State 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: Northern State University 19:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

NSU vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU 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 NSU ($14,493 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 38.5% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($10,600 vs. $17,234).
• Northern State University is 13.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $1,066 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.6% higher at CSUMB than at Northern State University (about $8,432 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (97% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 89.2% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($12,185 vs. $6,441).

NSU vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU 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 NSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northern State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming NSU 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: Northern State University 980/1160; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern State University 18/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at NSU (3.37).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than NSU (93%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.2% at NSU vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

NSU vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU 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).

• Northern State University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $10,399 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($14,000 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($144 vs. $252).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.