San Diego State vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Diego 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: San Diego State University 27:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

San Diego State vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State 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 San Diego State ($14,493 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 25.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($17,234 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $949 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at San Diego State than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $949 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at San Diego State University (71% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 1.1% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($12,185 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State 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 San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 140 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

San Diego State vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($144 vs. $158).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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.