California State University-Monterey Bay
- Graduation Rate
- 61% C+
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,247 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $13,663 C+
- 20% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 97% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 27.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.7 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $27.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,461,376.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 45% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $27.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why California State University-Monterey Bay Matters
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 6,819
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Humanities, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose California State University-Monterey Bay
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 97% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,663 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,247 ten years after enrolling — 45% above the typical college, against $12,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.69 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
California State University-Monterey Bay has an enrollment of about 6,819 students, making it a welcoming choice for those who thrive in a supportive environment. With a high acceptance rate of 97%, this school attracts students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those interested in fields like Psychology, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science. You’ll find that the focus here is not just on academic performance but also on practical experience, which can make a real difference in preparing for the job market.
When it comes to life after graduation, students typically earn around $59,247 after ten years, which gives a solid indication of the economic potential that can come with a degree from here. The affordability factor is also noteworthy, with a net price of $13,663 after aid. This is especially relevant for those taking on debt, which averages out to about $12,750 for graduates. With 43% of students receiving Pell Grants, it's clear that financial support is a priority for many.
In terms of who thrives here, students who seek a more personal educational experience and appreciate a close-knit community often do well. The combination of a relatively low cost of living in the area and the school's commitment to accessibility means that graduates can focus on their careers rather than being burdened by overwhelming debt. This environment can foster success for those who are dedicated and willing to engage with the resources available.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective California State University-Monterey Bay is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State University-Monterey Bay? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Seaside, California, California State University-Monterey Bay admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 97%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,135
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 52%
- Applicants
- 12,568
- Admitted
- 11,611
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State University-Monterey Bay? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State University-Monterey Bay is $20,379, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,663. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,970 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,779
- Out-of-State
- $20,379
- Avg Net Price
- $13,663
- Median Debt
- $12,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 43%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,970
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,981
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,440
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,818
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at California State University-Monterey Bay — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is California State University-Monterey Bay Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State University-Monterey Bay earn a median of $59,247, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $48,648
- 8 Years
- $55,080
- 10 Years
- $59,247
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 61%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (377)
- 29%
- 100% (377)
- 29%
- 100% (377)
- 29%
- 100% (377)
- 29%
How California Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is California State University-Monterey Bay Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, California State University-Monterey Bay delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,663/year ($54,652 total). Graduates earn $59,247 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,516,028 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,461,376 (27.7× your investment). The median debt is $12,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 61% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $54,652
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,516,028
- Net Return
- $1,461,376
- ROI Multiple
- 27.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,663
- Median Debt
- $12,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-3,983,693
Top Programs
The fields California State University-Monterey Bay awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 15% $54,760 early-career
- Psychology 13% $34,333 early-career
- Humanities 13% $29,247 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 12% $73,093 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $33,550 early-career
- Health Professions 4% $90,849 early-career
- Social Sciences 4% $41,115 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3% $47,965 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for California State University-Monterey Bay's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State University-Monterey Bay? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Seaside, California, California State University-Monterey Bay admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 97%. The graduation rate is roughly 61%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State University-Monterey Bay? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State University-Monterey Bay is $20,379, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $13,663. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,970 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,750 in federal student loans.
Is California State University-Monterey Bay Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State University-Monterey Bay earn a median of $59,247, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is California State University-Monterey Bay? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at California State University-Monterey Bay. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to California State University-Monterey Bay.
- University of WyomingLaramie, WY · Close peer59% grad $56,880 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX · Close peer51% grad $57,053 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · Close peer56% grad $56,346 earn 98% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOshkosh, WI · Close peer51% grad $55,548 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Eastern Washington UniversityCheney, WA · Close peer45% grad $57,897 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is California State University-Monterey Bay? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at California State University-Monterey Bay. Its economic connectedness score is 1.69, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note