Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Seaside , CA
California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a public university located in the beautiful coastal city of Seaside, California. Established in 1994, CSUMB is known for its strong commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice. The university offers a diverse range of academic programs, with particular emphasis on marine sciences, environmental studies, business, and education.
CSUMB boasts a stunning campus that is nestled on the former Fort Ord military base, surrounded by spectacular views of the Monterey Bay. The university prides itself on its small class sizes and strong faculty-student relationships, providing a personalized education experience for its students. With a current student population of over 7,000, CSUMB offers a tight-knit community where students can easily collaborate with professors and peers.
In addition to its academic offerings, CSUMB provides numerous opportunities for student engagement and personal development. The university hosts a variety of extracurricular activities, including clubs, organizations, and intercollegiate sports teams. Students can also take advantage of the university's location to participate in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and exploring the nearby marine ecosystems.
Overall, California State University, Monterey Bay is recognized as an innovative institution that prepares students for successful careers in various fields, while also promoting a sense of social responsibility and environmental consciousness. With its scenic location, rigorous academic programs, and vibrant campus community, CSUMB remains a highly regarded choice for students seeking a unique and impactful college experience.
California State University, Monterey Bay is a public comprehensive higher education institution located in Seaside, CA. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 97%. The freshman retention rate at California State University, Monterey Bay is 80% and the six-year graduation rate is 59%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is December 16. The transfer application deadline is January 15.
To find out more about what California State University, Monterey Bay has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
6,910
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
26:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
59%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Here are the most vital information you should know about admission policy and requirements at California State University, Monterey Bay.
In 2025, the school accepted 14,545 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
4% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 24% between 1,200 and 1,399, 28% between 1,000 and 1,199, 36% between 800 and 999, and 8% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 25, 25 between 24-29, 50 in the range between 18-23, and 14 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.33. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to California State University, Monterey Bay is December 16. For transfer students, the application deadline is January 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for California State University, Monterey Bay was 80% in 2025, a testament to the outstanding educational experience provided by this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 59%.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 7,713 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 2% for that year. There was a total of 6,910 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 214 international students. The school reported to have a total of 1,323 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 2,558 male and 4,115 female full-time students in 2025. 172 full-time graduate men and 439 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at California State University, Monterey Bay.
This school had 495 Asian students and 219 Afro-American students in 2025. 3,162 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 570 identified with more than one race. The school also had 51 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 53 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 165 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some details you should know about the expenses at California State University, Monterey Bay that the majority of students face.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at California State University, Monterey Bay? Here is what you need to know.
If you are an area resident, your tuition was $6,450. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $19,770 in 2025. For the students coming from abroad, tuition at this school was $19,770, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,695.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,770 | $1,695 | $21,465 |
| In-State | $6,450 | $1,695 | $8,145 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $921.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At California State University, Monterey Bay, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,514.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,450 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,514 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 921 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,885 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for many students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at California State University, Monterey Bay.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 925 freshmen. Students of this school received an average of $13,934 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
3,511 students received some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at California State University, Monterey Bay isn't available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 4,095. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution stood at $20,549,602, and state $24,945,491.
$2,132
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 10 students overall (including freshmen) at California State University, Monterey Bay in 2025. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $5,132,463. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $850,884 USD.
Majors
Faculty
26:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at California State University, Monterey Bay was 26:1. That means that there were 26 times more students than teachers at this school. The faculty of this school consists of 489 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 191 male and 296 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at California State University, Monterey Bay is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Check out some details about students' life at California State University, Monterey Bay.
It has a campus size of 1,387 acres.
Student Organizations
Joining multiple student organizations can provide you a more interesting and dynamic experience.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? California State University, Monterey Bay publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
California State University, Monterey Bay has a number of services important for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Women's Center are available to the students of California State University, Monterey Bay.
All in all, campus life at California State University, Monterey Bay is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at California State University, Monterey Bay.
Career Counselling
At California State University, Monterey Bay, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
-
California State University, Monterey Bay is located in Seaside, CA.
-
California State University, Monterey Bay doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for California State University, Monterey Bay is 97%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for California State University, Monterey Bay is 80%.
Contact Information
California State University, Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside , CA
93955-8001
831 582-3000
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.