UWT vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Washington Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA 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 UWT based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is located in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus 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: University of Washington Tacoma Campus 15:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

UWT vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UWT 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 University of Washington Tacoma Campus than CSUMB ($13,898 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus are 5% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,371 vs. $17,234).
• University of Washington Tacoma Campus is 69.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $5,389 more per year; $13,168.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 113% higher at UWT than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $23,025 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Washington Tacoma Campus than at California State University Monterey Bay (86% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 0.2% larger than aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students ($12,185 vs. $12,161).

UWT vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UWT 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 UWT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (1070) is 10 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming UWT students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at CSUMB (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UWT - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UWT Jun 30, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UWT (3.41).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than UWT (82.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.5% at UWT vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

UWT vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UWT 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).

• Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $20,500 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 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 UWT graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UWT graduates ($144 vs. $155).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.