Overview of California State University, Monterey Bay

California State University, Monterey Bay is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 59%. Cal State Monterey Bay emphasizes hands-on, outcome-based learning and interaction between faculty and students. The CSUMB experience starts with a first-year seminar and concludes with a senior capstone project. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 7,544 (6,716 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 38 percent male/62 percent female
• 90 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $7,143 (in-state); $19,023 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,854
• Room and Board: $12,786
• Other Expenses: $2,070
• Total Cost: $23,853 (in-state); $35,733 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 85 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 78 percent
  • Loans: 50 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,626
  • Loans: $5,212

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies; and Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 83 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 7 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 27 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 60 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo
• The CSUMB Otters play in the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Overview of California State University, Monterey Bay Admissions

Cal State Monterey Bay, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal State University Monterey Bay requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 92% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Monterey Bay’s admitted students scored in the bottom 29% on the SAT. For the reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to CSUMB scored between 480 and 590, and 25% scored below 480, and 25% scored over 590. 50% of students who gained admission scored 480 and 570 on the math section, while 25% scored below 480, and 25% scored over 570. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1160 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal State Monterey Bay.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Cal State Monterey Bay requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 40% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Monterey Bay’s admitted students scored in the bottom 33% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to CSUMB received a cumulative ACT score between 17 and 23, while 25% scored over 23, and 25% scored below 17.

GPA

The average high school GPA for Cal State Monterey Bay was 3.39 in 2019. This data suggests that successful applicants to CSUMB have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal State Monterey Bay, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal State Monterey Bay is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University Fresno, California State University Bakersfield, California State University East Bay, Kean University, California State University Los Angeles

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal State Monterey Bay, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

California State University Northridge, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, State University of New York at Fredonia, Montclair State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, La Salle University, Texas A&M University-Commerce

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal State Monterey Bay. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University

Applying to Cal State Monterey Bay

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://csumb.edu/admissions

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://csumb.edu/admissions/apply-now

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://csumb.edu/admissions/graduate-admission-requirements      

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/graduate