About

About California State University-Monterey Bay

public masters universityhigh acceptance ratebusiness and tech focustest optional admissions

California State University-Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, CA, known for its public masters university, high acceptance rate, and business and tech focus. With an acceptance rate of 92%, CSUMB is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 904 students each year. CSUMB is test optional; submitting a strong score can strengthen an application, though it is not required for consideration. CSUMB offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $8,792 per year; the sticker price of $33,348 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

California State University-Monterey Bay acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

92%
Overall Accept Rate

Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to California State University-Monterey Bay

Application Strategy
CSUMB was founded with a mission around service learning and community impact, so highlight any volunteer work, community projects, or service-oriented experiences prominently in your application because this directly aligns with the campus culture.
Application Strategy
If you have any interest in marine science, environmental studies, or coastal ecosystems, mention it explicitly because CSUMB sits on Monterey Bay, one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world, and the school leans into that location across multiple programs.

Financial Aid & Cost

What California State University-Monterey Bay actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$33k/yr$10.0k
30k-48k~$33k/yr$10.0k
48k-75k~$33k/yr$12.4k
75k-110k~$33k/yr$16.3k
110k+~$33k/yr$22.8k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

63%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$49k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
23:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
5,901
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

56%Hispanic
26%White
6%Asian
6%Two or More Races
2%Black / African American
2%Unknown / Unreported
1%International
0%American Indian / AK Native
0%Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Gender41% Men · 60% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status99% Citizens and Immigrants · 1% International
CSUMB, Seaside Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch