SCI-Arc vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, 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 SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture 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: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

SCI-Arc vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc ($14,493 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 21.1% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($13,600 vs. $17,234).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 622% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $48,383 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.6% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $35,783 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (71% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 249.8% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($42,627 vs. $12,185).

SCI-Arc vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or CSUMB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSUMB and SCI-Arc.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 70 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCalifornia State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCI-Arc - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSUMB (3.45).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

SCI-Arc vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc and CSUMB? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Southern California Institute of Architecture earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $28,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($14,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $298 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($144 vs. $442).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.