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California State University-Monterey Bay: tuition, cost and admissions

Seaside, CA · Public university · Suburb (mid)

6,129Undergraduates

92%Acceptance rate

$11,649Avg net cost / yr

See California State University-Monterey Bay on the map → Official website

What California State University-Monterey Bay actually costs

Item	Amount
Tuition & fees (in-state)	$7,323	Published rate before aid
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)	$19,203	Published rate before aid
Room & board (on campus)	$16,262	Annual
Books & supplies	$1,152	Estimated annual
Total sticker cost	$20,441	Everything, before aid
Average actual cost paid	$11,649	Average paid after grants and scholarships — an average, not a quote

Across all students, the average paid here was $8,792 less than the sticker price — about 43% off, once grants and scholarships are counted. Individual awards vary enormously, and many students receive nothing at all.

Do your own due diligence on cost. Every figure above is a historical federal average for all students at this college. No student pays the average. What you are charged depends on your family’s income and assets, your academic record, the year you apply, and what aid this college has available — and it changes year to year. Use these numbers to decide which colleges are worth investigating, never to decide what one will cost you. Run the college’s own net price calculator — every US college is required by law to publish one — then confirm in writing with its financial aid office before committing to anything. We are not financial, admissions or tax advisers and have no relationship with this college.

Most popular fields of study

Business, Management & Marketing — 15%

Liberal Arts & General Studies — 13%

Psychology — 12%

Computer & Information Sciences — 10%

Parks, Recreation & Fitness — 9%

Biological & Biomedical Sciences — 6%

Public Administration & Social Service — 5%

Social Sciences — 5%

Share of degrees awarded, US Dept. of Education.

Varsity athletics at California State University-Monterey Bay

Athletic association	D-I
Men’s varsity sports (5)	Baseball (64), Soccer (30), Track & Field (27), Basketball (16), Golf (11)
Women’s varsity sports (7)	Softball (36), Soccer (34), Track & Field (34), Water Polo (25), Volleyball (18), Basketball (15), Golf (6)
Softball conference	CCAA
Head softball coach	Emily Montanez

Squad sizes in brackets, from the federal Equity in Athletics survey (2024–25). Filter by sport and division on the interactive map.

Plan a visit and compare

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Other colleges in California

California State University-Fullerton · University of California-San Diego · California State University-Long Beach · University of California-Berkeley · University of California-Los Angeles · California State University-Northridge · San Diego State University · University of California-Davis