Pacific Oaks College vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, 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 Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Oaks College is located in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pacific Oaks College 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: Pacific Oaks College 11:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Pacific Oaks College vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pacific Oaks College or CSUMB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 10.2% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($17,234 vs. $19,185).
• Pacific Oaks College is 318% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $24,741 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.6% higher at Pacific Oaks College than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $12,141 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at Pacific Oaks College (71% vs. 0%).

Pacific Oaks College vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific Oaks 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 Pacific Oaks College.

• 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: Pacific Oaks College - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Pacific Oaks College vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific Oaks 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 $3,200 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $6,967 lower median loan debt than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($14,000 vs. $20,967).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($144 vs. $216).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 51%)

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.