California State University-Fresno vs. CSUMB

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

California State University Fresno
California State University Monterey Bay

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: California State University-Fresno (95.3% admitted vs 97.4%). Typical SAT 1000 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: California State University-Fresno. Average net price is $7,834 vs $14,493 at CSUMB.
  • Graduation: California State University-Fresno 49% vs CSUMB 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California State University-Fresno $46,500 vs CSUMB $45,300 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Fresno California State University Monterey Bay
Acceptance rate
California State University-Fresno more selective
California State University-Fresno95.3%
CSUMB97.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSUMB higher
California State University-Fresno890-1100
CSUMB960-1160
Average net price
California State University-Fresno $6,659 less
California State University-Fresno$7,834
CSUMB$14,493
In-state tuition
California State University-Fresno $429 less
California State University-Fresno$7,350
CSUMB$7,779
Out-of-state tuition
California State University-Fresno $429 less
California State University-Fresno$19,950
CSUMB$20,379
Graduation rate
California State University-Fresno +11 pts
California State University-Fresno49%
CSUMB38%
Median earnings (10 years)
California State University-Fresno +$1,200
California State University-Fresno$46,500
CSUMB$45,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at California State University-Fresno Check my chances at CSUMB
  • Applied
  • California State University-Fresno 21,521
  • CSUMB 14,933
  • Admitted
  • California State University-Fresno 20,501
  • CSUMB 14,545
  • Acceptance rate
  • California State University-Fresno 95.3%
  • CSUMB 97.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California State University-Fresno 17.5%
  • CSUMB 9.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California State University-Fresno 1000
  • CSUMB 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • California State University-Fresno 18
  • CSUMB 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • California State University-Fresno 3.12
  • CSUMB 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • California State University-Fresno B
  • CSUMB B+
  • Admissions standards
  • California State University-Fresno Extremely Easy
  • CSUMB Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • California State University-Fresno
  • CSUMB
  • SAT range
  • California State University-Fresno 890-1100
  • CSUMB 960-1160
  • ACT range
  • California State University-Fresno 16-21
  • CSUMB 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • California State University-Fresno Test-free
  • CSUMB Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026
  • CSUMB Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California State University-Fresno $7,350
  • CSUMB $7,779
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California State University-Fresno $19,950
  • CSUMB $20,379
  • Room & board
  • California State University-Fresno $11,960
  • CSUMB $17,234
  • Average net price
  • California State University-Fresno $7,834
  • CSUMB $14,493
  • Average grant aid
  • California State University-Fresno $12,326
  • CSUMB $12,185
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California State University-Fresno 85%
  • CSUMB 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • California State University-Fresno 49%
  • CSUMB 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California State University-Fresno $46,500
  • CSUMB $45,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • California State University-Fresno 63%
  • CSUMB 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California State University-Fresno $15,000
  • CSUMB $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • California State University-Fresno $155
  • CSUMB $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California State University-Fresno 22:1
  • CSUMB 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • California State University-Fresno
    • Business (17%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • CSUMB
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Location
  • California State University-Fresno Fresno, CA
  • CSUMB Seaside, CA
  • Setting
  • California State University-Fresno Large City
  • CSUMB Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • California State University-Fresno 24,427
  • CSUMB 7,713
  • Type
  • California State University-Fresno Public 4 Year
  • CSUMB Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California State University-Fresno #874
  • CSUMB #867

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Fresno in Fresno, 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 Fresno is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 7,713 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • California State University Fresno 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 Fresno 22:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 30.6% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($11,960 vs. $17,234).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at CSUMB than at California State University Fresno (about $429 more per year; $20,379 vs. $19,950).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University Monterey Bay (85% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 1.2% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($12,326 vs. $12,185).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at CSUMB than at California State University-Fresno (20 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and CSUMB.
  • Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CSUMB average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than California State University-Fresno graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-Fresno graduates ($144 vs. $155).
  • More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 63%).

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

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