California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB) vs California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB)

California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and California State University-San Bernardino (CSUSB) are two distinct universities within the California State University system, each offering unique educational experiences. CSUMB, located in the vibrant coastal city of Seaside, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community. In contrast, CSUSB, situated in the Inland Empire region, has a larger student population and a lower acceptance rate, providing a more diverse and metropolitan atmosphere. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, CSUMB excels in marine science and environmental studies, while CSUSB is renowned for its business and public administration programs. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about the acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates of these two esteemed institutions, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
California State University-Monterey Bay logo

California State University-Monterey Bay

California State University-San Bernardino logo

California State University-San Bernardino

Overview

Location Seaside, California San Bernardino, California
Campus setting Suburb: Midsize City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 81.0% 78.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 92.8% 91.0%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $70
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $70
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 10,026 13,057
Total number of admissions given out 9,305 11,878
Admitted students who chose to enroll 779 2,001
Yield rate 8.4% 16.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Not required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $26,430

Out of state: $38,310
In state: $28,409

Out of state: $40,289
Average net price $6,085 $3,254
Tuition
In state: $5,742

Out of state: $17,622
In state: $5,742

Out of state: $17,622
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $9,642

Meal plan: $4,558
Room/dormitory: $7,644

Meal plan: $3,000
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

69.0%
Average amount $9,097
87.0%
Average amount $10,157
Students receiving federal student loan 25.0%
Average amount $3,379
12.0%
Average amount $4,553
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $11,953
1.0%
Average amount $8,949

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 6,692
Men 38.1% Women 61.9%
16,858
Men 37.6% Women 62.4%
Graduate students 811
Men 29.8% Women 70.2%
2,656
Men 32.9% Women 67.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 2.4% 0.6%
International students 4.8% 5.4%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Midsize City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 3,565 1,482
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Colorado Hawaii Arizona Illinois California Arizona Hawaii Minnesota

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Liberal Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 23:1 25:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 60.2% 57.0%
Dropout rate 30.1% 36.1%
Transferred out 7.3% 1.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $109,260
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $110,683
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $80,700
  • Year 2: $79,389
  • Year 3: $83,389
Educational/Instructional Media Design (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,186
  • Year 2: $71,957
  • Year 3: $75,206
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,031
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $68,691
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,187
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $65,124
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,008
  • Year 2: $60,049
  • Year 3: $63,971
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,999
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $52,338
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,158
  • Year 2: $36,533
  • Year 3: $43,406
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $29,259
  • Year 2: $32,467
  • Year 3: $40,471
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,318
  • Year 2: $33,993
  • Year 3: $40,347
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,025
  • Year 2: $88,739
  • Year 3: $91,007
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,100
  • Year 2: $86,356
  • Year 3: $89,781
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $76,052
  • Year 2: $72,214
  • Year 3: $79,205
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,968
  • Year 2: $65,066
  • Year 3: $71,975
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,962
  • Year 2: $64,358
  • Year 3: $68,388
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,267
  • Year 2: $58,221
  • Year 3: $66,764
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,496
  • Year 2: $52,524
  • Year 3: $66,429
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,356
  • Year 2: $56,867
  • Year 3: $64,336
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,681
  • Year 2: $58,503
  • Year 3: $63,478
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,337
  • Year 2: $46,966
  • Year 3: $58,366