Seaside, CA · Public · 6,819 undergraduates · suburban
California State University-Monterey Bay
Less selective
CSUMB is a younger coastal CSU where environmental, marine and community-based learning fit the surrounding region well.
Institutional profile
Well established Exceptional in mobility, and strong in affordability.- Admission
- 94.8% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 73.7%
11,769 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$59,247 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets California State University-Monterey Bay apart
Academic design
Programs include marine science, environmental science and policy, computer science, mechatronics, business, health, education and liberal arts, with mentorship emphasized.
Campus pattern
The former Fort Ord campus sits between Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley and Central Coast recreation rather than in a dense city center.
Career & value signal
The bay, coastline and surrounding agricultural region provide direct field settings for marine, environmental, hospitality and sustainability work.
Can I get in?
94.8% admitted
Start with the academic record, then make the intended direction and school-specific fit concrete.
Recent applicant pool
11,769About 95 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Record over scores
No score range is published for the entering class, so the transcript, the course rigor, and the required materials carry the file.
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for California State University-Monterey Bay, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What California State University-Monterey Bay weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Show preparation for this curriculum
Programs include marine science, environmental science and policy, computer science, mechatronics, business, health, education and liberal arts, with mentorship emphasized.
Make institutional fit specific
CSUMB is a younger coastal CSU where environmental, marine and community-based learning fit the surrounding region well.
Use the application route carefully
Keep academic direction and school-specific choices coherent across the application.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
Build the calendar around the earliest realistic application round and assemble each required item once.
$70 application fee
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
Start with the average net price for your income range, then set that estimate beside your other realistic options.
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at California State University-Monterey Bay
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Read completion, borrowing, field mix, and earnings together. One university-wide earnings figure does not describe every student path.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Psychology, General
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Admits separately
Computer Science
Admits separately
Biology, General
What is campus life like?
California State University-Monterey Bay beyond the classroom
The former Fort Ord campus sits between Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley and Central Coast recreation rather than in a dense city center.
A defining academic feature
Programs include marine science, environmental science and policy, computer science, mechatronics, business, health, education and liberal arts, with mentorship emphasized.
What shapes an ordinary week
The former Fort Ord campus sits between Monterey Bay, the Salinas Valley and Central Coast recreation rather than in a dense city center.
Where the degree can lead
The bay, coastline and surrounding agricultural region provide direct field settings for marine, environmental, hospitality and sustainability work.