California State University-Monterey Bay
California State University-Monterey Bay — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State University-Monterey Bay at a Glance
California State University, Monterey Bay is a public university located in Monterey County, California, United States. The main campus is situated on the site of the former military base Fort Ord, spanning the cities of Seaside and Marina, approximately one mile inland from Monterey Bay along the Central Coast of California. CSUMB also maintains locations in the cities of Monterey and Salinas. Founded in 1994, CSUMB is part of the California State University system and is accredited by the WASC…
1994
32 years old
$44M
$43.5 million (2023-24)
7,713
6,836 undergrad · 877 grad
489
1,350 acres
Identity
Is California State University-Monterey Bay Worth It?
California State University-Monterey Bay delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $13,663/year, it's priced 33% below average, while graduates go on to earn $59,247 — 10% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 61% graduation rate means roughly 39% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 97% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How California State University-Monterey Bay compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #12 of 121 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #5 | California State University-East Bay | 90 | $9,320 | $71,401 |
| #6 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #12 | California State University-Monterey Bay | 66 | $13,663 | $59,247 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State University-Monterey Bay's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 9 in CA.
Best Programs at California State University-Monterey Bay
The highest-earning program at California State University-Monterey Bay is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $79,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $22,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from California State University-Monterey Bay earns $79,400, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $22,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $8,250 in median debt vs. $11,492 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,663/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $79,400 | $79,400 | $8,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $52,000 | $52,000 | $13,417 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,900 | $41,900 | $15,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,700 | $37,700 | $13,750 |
| Human Services, General | $36,000 | $36,000 | $15,000 |
| Social Sciences, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $13,231 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,400 | $29,400 | $14,407 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $28,800 | $28,800 | $17,125 |
| Marine Sciences | $28,200 | $28,200 | $17,259 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,700 | $27,700 | $11,952 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $27,300 | $27,300 | $18,491 |
| Psychology, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $13,579 |
| Biology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $13,875 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,700 | $22,700 | $11,492 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Seaside, CA
- Student Body
- 6,819 students
- Admission Rate
- 97%
- Graduation Rate
- 61%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,663
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $59,247
- Median Student Debt
- $12,750