CSUMB Admission Requirements
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CSUMB Admission Overview
CSUMB admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year CSUMB admitted 97.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.45 GPA (B+). CSUMB is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSUMB is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.
CSUMB Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for California State University Monterey Bay
Acceptance Rate
The CSUMB acceptance rate is 97.4%. Last year, 14,545 of 14,933 applicants were admitted. That is the 100th lowest acceptance rate in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CSUMB and can you get accepted?
CSUMB is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
California State University Monterey Bay typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.45. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSUMB GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.45Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.45
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at CSUMB typically have around a 3.45 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. CSUMB is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.
The school ranks #54 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
CSUMB Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
California State University, Monterey Bay does not consider SAT or ACT scores for first-year admission in the 2026-27 cycle. The California State University no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility at any CSU campus. If you are accepted, SAT or ACT scores can be used as one of the measures to place you in mathematics and written communication courses. You may report your ACT or College Board ID on Cal State Apply; scores sent to one CSU campus are available to every CSU campus you apply to.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/pages/testing-requirements.aspx
CSUMB SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers from the last year SAT scores were reported. The maximum score is 1600.
960-1160Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores, from the last year SAT scores were reported.
92%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 480
- Math 480
- Composite 960
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 590
- Math 570
- Composite 1160
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CSUMB typically score around a 1060 SAT (middle 50% 960–1160) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 51st percentile nationally. CSUMB ranks #53 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 960 to 1160
View other colleges which accept students in the 1060 SAT score range.
SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSUMB ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers in the last year ACT scores were reported. The scale tops out at 36.
17-23Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT, from the last year ACT scores were reported.
40%25th Percentile Scores
- English 16
- Math 16
- Composite 17
75th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 23
- Composite 23
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CSUMB typically have around a 20 ACT (mid-50 17–23) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 51st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CSUMB places #56 among colleges in California for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 23
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 20.0 ACT score range.
ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.
Open the CSUMB chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University Monterey Bay and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Monterey Bay is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CSUMB is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 97.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.45 GPA (about an B+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California State University Monterey Bay often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=409698.
GPA calculator: California State University Monterey Bay GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026