California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB) vs Berkeley

California State University-Monterey Bay (CSUMB) and University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) are two distinct institutions offering diverse educational experiences. CSUMB, located in the vibrant city of Seaside, boasts a welcoming and inclusive campus with a focus on sustainability and experiential learning. UC Berkeley, situated in the bustling city of Berkeley, is renowned for its academic excellence, research opportunities, and vibrant student life. While both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, CSUMB excels in marine science, environmental studies, and hospitality management, while UC Berkeley is known for its strengths in engineering, computer science, and social sciences. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	California State University-Monterey Bay	University of California-Berkeley
Overview
Location	Seaside, California	Berkeley, 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%	96.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	92.8%	14.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120
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	112,843
Total number of admissions given out	9,305	16,295
Admitted students who chose to enroll	779	6,931
Yield rate	8.4%	42.5%
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	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,430 Out of state: $38,310	In state: $37,920 Out of state: $67,674
Average net price	$6,085	$17,652
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $9,642 Meal plan: $4,558	$20,236
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	69.0% Average amount $9,097	52.0% Average amount $21,406
Students receiving federal student loan	25.0% Average amount $3,379	15.0% Average amount $4,586
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $11,953	6.0% Average amount $7,122

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	6,692 Men 38.1% Women 61.9%	31,814 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students	811 Men 29.8% Women 70.2%	13,222 Men 51.7% Women 48.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	2.4%	16.9%
International students	4.8%	18.0%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	3,565	9,630
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 New Jersey Texas Virginia New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Psychology Liberal Arts Computer and Information Science Public Administration and Social Service	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Legal Profession Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	23:1	20:1
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%	92.8%
Dropout rate	30.1%	6.3%
Transferred out	7.3%	N/A
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $171,936 Year 3: $191,597 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $167,052 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $125,250 Year 2: $125,388 Year 3: $161,399 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $126,367 Year 2: $128,868 Year 3: $160,666 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $160,390 Year 2: $142,470 Year 3: $143,984 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $119,358 Year 3: $143,516 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $107,442 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $112,973 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $74,750 Year 2: $91,363 Year 3: $104,601 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,600 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $103,738 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,282 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $102,543

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is located in Monterey Bay, California, offering a coastal environment with a more relaxed and intimate campus atmosphere. UC Berkeley, on the other hand, is situated in Berkeley, a vibrant city in the San Francisco Bay Area, known for its bustling urban environment and a large, historic campus.
How do the academic programs and research opportunities compare at CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley is renowned for its extensive range of highly-ranked academic programs and world-class research opportunities across various disciplines. CSUMB offers a more focused selection of programs, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education and practical, career-oriented fields. While UC Berkeley excels in research, CSUMB provides opportunities for undergraduate research and hands-on learning experiences.
What is the student body like at CSUMB versus UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley has a significantly larger and more diverse student body, representing a wide range of backgrounds and interests. CSUMB has a smaller student population, fostering a closer-knit community and more personalized attention from faculty. Both universities attract students from diverse backgrounds, but the scale and demographics differ.
How does the cost of attendance compare between CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

Generally, CSUMB is more affordable than UC Berkeley. As a California State University, CSUMB has lower tuition fees compared to UC Berkeley, a University of California institution. However, the overall cost of attendance, including living expenses, can vary depending on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices. Financial aid is available at both institutions to help offset costs.
What are the admission requirements like for CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley has highly competitive admission requirements, with a rigorous application process that considers academic performance, extracurricular activities, and essays. CSUMB's admission requirements are generally less competitive, focusing on academic achievement and offering opportunities for students who may not meet UC Berkeley's stringent criteria. Both universities require applications through the respective university systems.
How do the campus facilities and resources differ between CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley boasts extensive campus facilities, including state-of-the-art libraries, research labs, and athletic complexes, reflecting its status as a leading research university. CSUMB offers modern facilities, though on a smaller scale, with a focus on supporting undergraduate education and student life. Both universities provide essential resources such as libraries, computer labs, and student support services.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley graduates often have access to a wider range of career opportunities, particularly in competitive fields, due to the university's strong reputation and extensive alumni network. CSUMB graduates are well-prepared for careers in their chosen fields, with a focus on practical skills and regional employment opportunities. Both universities offer career services to assist students with job placement and career development.
How would you describe the social and extracurricular activities at CSUMB and UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley offers a vast array of social and extracurricular activities, including numerous student organizations, clubs, and events, reflecting its large and diverse student body. CSUMB provides a more intimate social environment with a focus on campus-based activities and a strong sense of community. Both universities offer opportunities for students to get involved and pursue their interests.
Which university is better for a student seeking a strong research focus?

UC Berkeley is the clear choice for students seeking a strong research focus. It is a world-renowned research institution with extensive research opportunities across various disciplines. While CSUMB offers some undergraduate research opportunities, it is not the primary focus of the university.
Which university is better for a student seeking a more affordable education?

CSUMB is generally the more affordable option. As a California State University, it has lower tuition fees compared to UC Berkeley. However, it's important to consider the overall cost of attendance, including living expenses, which can vary depending on individual circumstances.

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