CSU vs. CSUMB

California State University Chico and California State University Monterey Bay side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
California State University Monterey Bay

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (92.7% admitted vs 97.4%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $14,630 at CSU vs $14,493 at CSUMB. CSU in-state tuition is about $693 more per year.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs CSUMB 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs CSUMB $45,300 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

California State University Chico California State University Monterey Bay
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU92.7%
CSUMB97.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
CSUMB960-1160
Average net price
About even
CSU$14,630
CSUMB$14,493
In-state tuition
CSUMB $693 less
CSU$8,472
CSUMB$7,779
Out-of-state tuition
CSUMB $693 less
CSU$21,072
CSUMB$20,379
Graduation rate
CSU +21 pts
CSU59%
CSUMB38%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$7,100
CSU$52,400
CSUMB$45,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at CSU and CSUMB with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at CSU Check my chances at CSUMB
  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • CSUMB 14,933
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • CSUMB 14,545
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • CSUMB 97.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • CSUMB 9.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • CSUMB 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • CSUMB 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • CSUMB 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • CSUMB B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • CSUMB Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • CSUMB
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • CSUMB 960-1160
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • CSUMB 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • CSUMB Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • CSUMB Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • CSUMB $7,779
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • CSUMB $20,379
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • CSUMB $17,234
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • CSUMB $14,493
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • CSUMB $12,185
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • CSUMB 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • CSUMB 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • CSUMB $45,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • CSUMB 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • CSUMB $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • CSUMB $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • CSUMB 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • CSUMB
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • CSUMB Seaside, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • CSUMB Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • CSUMB 7,713
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • CSUMB Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • CSUMB #867

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 7,713 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 4.3% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,500 vs. $17,234).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at CSU than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $693 more per year; $21,072 vs. $20,379).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Monterey Bay than at California State University Chico (71% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 5.9% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,185 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at CSU than at CSUMB (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and CSUMB.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CSUMB average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($14,000 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($144 vs. $175).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSUMB students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 66%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

California State University Chico
California State University Monterey Bay
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges