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Public · Seaside, California

California State University-Monterey Bay

Suburban campus · 6,819 undergraduates · 24 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
97%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$13,663
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
59%
Library under construction from Divarty St, May 2008
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is California State University-Monterey Bay a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

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What California State University-Monterey Bay costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$9,970
$30,001 – $48,000
$9,981
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,440
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,281
Over $110,000
$22,818

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state with any WUE discount applied, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$26,987
Tuition, in-state
$7,779
Tuition, out-of-state
$20,379
First-years given a grant by the school
48%
Average grant from the school
$5,986
Median debt at graduation
$12,750
The school's own net price calculator
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Western Undergraduate Exchange. Students from 17 other member states may pay a reduced rate here, at most 150% of in-state tuition. Each school sets its own WUE rules: some require a minimum GPA, exclude majors, or limit awards. Details ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate
97%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
80%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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California State University-Monterey Bay athletics

NCAA D2, 8 women's and 6 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Baseball–64
Basketball1516
Cross country3427
Golf611
Soccer3430
Softball36–
Track & field3427
Volleyball18–
Water polo25–

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Find every NCAA D2 school with women’s soccer within 300 miles of you, on one map with net price and admission odds.Search by sport →

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Business & marketing
15%
Psychology
13%
Liberal arts & humanities
13%
Computer & information sciences
12%
Multi/interdisciplinary studies
7%
Parks, recreation & fitness
6%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
59%
First-year retention
80%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$59,247
Median debt at graduation
$12,750
Students with a Pell grant
43%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.