San Francisco State vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Francisco 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 Francisco State University 19:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

San Francisco State vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco 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 San Francisco State University than CSUMB ($13,168 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 22.6% lower than at San Francisco State University ($17,234 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $171 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at San Francisco State than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $171 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (77% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 6.7% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($12,996 vs. $12,185).

San Francisco State vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 30 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming CSUMB students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than San Francisco State (96.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

San Francisco State vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco 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 Francisco State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($144 vs. $178).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State 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.