Saginaw Valley State University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 6,822 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Saginaw Valley 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: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University than CSUMB ($11,546 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 28.4% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,340 vs. $17,234).
• Saginaw Valley State University is 66.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $5,151 more per year; $12,930.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $10,071 more per year; $30,450.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($13,512 vs. $12,185).

Saginaw Valley State University vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Saginaw Valley State 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 Saginaw Valley State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 10 points higher than at Saginaw Valley State University (1050).
• Incoming Saginaw Valley State University 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: Saginaw Valley State University 920/1170; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Saginaw Valley State University 18/26; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Saginaw Valley State University - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saginaw Valley State University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Saginaw Valley State University (72.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Saginaw Valley State University vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Saginaw Valley State 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).

• Saginaw Valley State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than Saginaw Valley State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($14,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($144 vs. $279).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 48%)

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.