San Jose State vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Jose 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 Jose State University 25:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

San Jose State vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose 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 Jose State University than CSUMB ($13,892 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 17.8% lower than at San Jose State University ($17,234 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $631 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $631 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at San Jose State University (71% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 1.4% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($12,353 vs. $12,185).

San Jose State vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 70 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming San Jose State 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: San Jose State University 1010/1240; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

San Jose State vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose 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 Jose State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $14,600 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($144 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.