CSU Monterey Bay: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-Monterey Bay · Seaside, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #12 (tie) in Regional Universities West; Computer Science #319 (tie), Nursing #195 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by California State University-Monterey Bay (see the source).
Is CSU Monterey Bay a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places CSU Monterey Bay against it in about a minute. No account needed.
CSU Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, California that admits about 97% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $13,663 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
CSU Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, CSU Monterey Bay admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 97%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,663 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for CSU Monterey Bay?
CSU Monterey Bay has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare CSU Monterey Bay with the other schools on your list
Open CSU Monterey Bay in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
SAT and ACT scores CSU Monterey Bay typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: CSU Monterey Bay does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU does not use SAT/ACT for admission; CSUMB accepts scores only for advising and course placement.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on CSU Monterey Bay's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does CSU Monterey Bay actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,779 for in-state students and $20,379 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,234 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,663 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 43% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $13,663 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for CSU Monterey Bay
Most popular majors at CSU Monterey Bay
The most popular undergraduate programs at CSU Monterey Bay, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities and Psychology, General. Across all programs, CSU Monterey Bay confers roughly 1,408 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $72,547 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 265 | $72,547 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 242 | $54,702 |
| Psychology, General | 231 | $54,215 |
| Computer Science | 191 | $86,576 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 172 | $59,223 |
| Biology, General | 122 | $45,572 |
| Human Services, General | 96 | $57,518 |
| Social Sciences, General | 89 | $52,537 |
Is CSU Monterey Bay safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), CSU Monterey Bay disclosed 21 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 13 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-San Marcos95% acceptance
- California State University-Channel Islands95% acceptance
- Art Center College of Design75% acceptance
- California Institute of the Arts32% acceptance
- Whittier College81% acceptance
- Stanford University4% acceptance
- University of California-Berkeley11% acceptance
- University of California-Los Angeles9% acceptance
Next steps for CSU Monterey Bay
Common questions parents ask about CSU Monterey Bay
What GPA do I need for CSU Monterey Bay?
CSU Monterey Bay has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does CSU Monterey Bay typically admit?
CSU Monterey Bay is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does CSU Monterey Bay actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at CSU Monterey Bay after grants and scholarships is $13,663 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,779 and $20,379 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is CSU Monterey Bay realistic for my child?
CSU Monterey Bay admits 97% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $13,663 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at CSU Monterey Bay?
CSU Monterey Bay accepts about 97% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is CSU Monterey Bay test-optional?
CSU Monterey Bay is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is CSU Monterey Bay a public or private school, and where is it located?
CSU Monterey Bay is a public institution located in Seaside, California.
What are the most popular majors at CSU Monterey Bay?
The largest undergraduate majors at CSU Monterey Bay by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,408 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is CSU Monterey Bay safe? What is its campus crime rate?
CSU Monterey Bay reported 21 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Monterey Bay, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers