California State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public research university in Seaside, California, serving roughly 6,819 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 97.40% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $59,247 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $7,779
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,663 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 97.40% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 6,819 89.3% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 59.09%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 51.8%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 1.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 24.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 51.4%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,616
- Applicants (IPEDS): 11,769
- Room & Board: $17,234 annual estimate
California State University-Monterey Bay: what the data shows
Common questions about California State University-Monterey Bay, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is California State University-Monterey Bay?
California State University-Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA (ZIP 93955-8001).
NCES locale classification: Rural distant.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay public or private?
California State University-Monterey Bay is a Public institution.
How much does California State University-Monterey Bay cost?
Published tuition: $7,779 in-state, $20,379 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $13,663.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,970 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,981 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,440 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,281 |
| $110,001+ | $22,818 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $31,116.
How hard is it to get into California State University-Monterey Bay?
Admission rate: 97.40%.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is California State University-Monterey Bay?
Total enrollment: 6,819 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,616 students.
Graduate enrollment: 806 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Monterey Bay?
150%-time completion rate: 59.09%.
First-year retention: 79.9%.
What do graduates of California State University-Monterey Bay earn?
Median earnings: $48,648 six years after entry; $59,247 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $12,750.
43.17% of students receive Pell grants.
What is California State University-Monterey Bay known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Business Administration and Management, General (320 completions)
- Psychology, General (250 completions)
- Computer Science (199 completions)
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (145 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (131 completions)
- Marine Sciences (108 completions)
- Humanities/Humanistic Studies (107 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (93 completions)
- Social Sciences, General (85 completions)
- Human Development and Family Studies, General (73 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 97.40%; completion rate 59.09%; median earnings $59,247 at 10 years; net price $13,663. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$7,779
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at California State University-Monterey Bay was $7,779.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,663
2024 Value
In 2024 California State University-Monterey Bay had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,663.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$54,652 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,663 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$31,116 4-Year In-State Tuition
$81,516 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$17,234 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$899 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$25,912 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$103,648 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for California State University-Monterey Bay.
Financial Aid by Income Level
43.17% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
28.48% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at California State University-Monterey Bay was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for California State University-Monterey Bay in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,963 | $17,123 | $10,302 |
| 2014 | $5,963 | $17,123 | $9,579 |
| 2015 | $6,119 | $17,279 | $11,064 |
| 2016 | $6,379 | $17,539 | $10,925 |
| 2017 | $7,043 | $18,923 | $11,167 |
| 2018 | $7,143 | $19,023 | $12,739 |
| 2019 | $7,143 | $19,023 | $12,212 |
| 2020 | $7,147 | $19,027 | $13,597 |
| 2021 | $7,218 | $19,098 | $5,553 |
| 2022 | $7,323 | $19,203 | $11,649 |
| 2023 | $7,437 | $19,317 | $14,487 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
97.40% Acceptance Rate
11,769 Total Applicants
11,160 Students Admitted
943 First-Time Students Enrolled
8.45% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
California State University-Monterey Bay reported total enrollment of about 6,819 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Hispanic or Latino (55.9%), White (26.2%), and Asian (6.0%). About 43.17% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 51.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
89.3% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at California State University-Monterey Bay in 2024 is 6,819 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 7,616 students. Graduate enrollment is about 806 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
79.9%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Hispanic or Latino at 55.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
39.19% 100% Completion Time
59.09% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 39.19% of students graduating from California State University-Monterey Bay completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Business Administration and Management, General: 48% male / 52% female
- Psychology, General: 19% male / 81% female
- Computer Science: 82% male / 18% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: Hispanic or Latino.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for California State University-Monterey Bay.
Return on Investment
$12,750 Median Student Debt
$59,247 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
21.52% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
984.08% Return on Investment
2.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for California State University-Monterey Bay.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 34 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Business Administration and Management, General: 320 completions
2. Psychology, General: 250 completions
3. Computer Science: 199 completions
4. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General: 145 completions
5. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 131 completions
6. Marine Sciences: 108 completions
7. Humanities/Humanistic Studies: 107 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 93 completions
9. Social Sciences, General: 85 completions
Most popular programs at California State University-Monterey Bay.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for California State University-Monterey Bay graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for California State University-Monterey Bay from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 51.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,135
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,704
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, CA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Business Administration and Management, General, Psychology, General, Computer Science. Enrollment is approximately 6,819 students. Student body composition includes Hispanic or Latino (55.9%), White (26.2%), Asian (6.0%). The admission rate is 97.40%. The 150%-time completion rate is 59.09%. Approximately 43.17% of students receive Pell Grants. About 51.8% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Seaside, CA 93955-8001
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
California State University-Monterey Bay provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is California State University-Monterey Bay located?
California State University-Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA.
What is California State University-Monterey Bay's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at California State University-Monterey Bay is 97.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 11,769 applicants and 11,160 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does California State University-Monterey Bay cost?
Reported tuition is $7,779 and average net price is $13,663 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $17,234 annually.
What is the student body demographics at California State University-Monterey Bay?
California State University-Monterey Bay reports undergraduate enrollment of about 7,616 students, Hispanic or Latino (55.9%), White (26.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend California State University-Monterey Bay?
About 51.8% of students at California State University-Monterey Bay are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of California State University-Monterey Bay earn?
Median earnings are $48,648 six years after entry and $59,247 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Monterey Bay?
The 150%-time completion rate is 59.1% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do California State University-Monterey Bay students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $12,750.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay public or private?
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, CA.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay an HBCU?
No. California State University-Monterey Bay is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay a tribal college?
No. California State University-Monterey Bay is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—California State University-Monterey Bay reports 55.9% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- California college costs
- California colleges by ROI
- Far West regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in California
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.