PUC vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, 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 PUC based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pacific Union 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 Union College 12:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

PUC vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC 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 PUC ($14,493 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 43% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($9,816 vs. $17,234).
• Pacific Union College is 377.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $29,394 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.4% higher at PUC than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $16,794 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University Monterey Bay (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 118.5% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($26,629 vs. $12,185).

PUC vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is the same as at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming PUC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 930/1190; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 20/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at PUC (3.24).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

PUC vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PUC 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).

• Pacific Union College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($14,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($144 vs. $310).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.