Sacramento State vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Sacramento is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (31,943 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Sacramento State vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Sacramento State or CSUMB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Sacramento than CSUMB ($10,110 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Monterey Bay are 10.1% lower than at California State University Sacramento ($17,234 vs. $19,174).
• California State University Sacramento is 3.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $239 more per year; $8,018.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Sacramento State than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $239 more per year; $20,618.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Sacramento than at California State University Monterey Bay (82% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Sacramento students is 4.8% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($12,767 vs. $12,185).

Sacramento State vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Sacramento State or CSUMB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSUMB and Sacramento State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Monterey Bay (1060) is 30 points higher than at Sacramento State (1030).
• Incoming Sacramento State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 20) as students at CSUMB (20).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 930/1130; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Sacramento 17/23; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Sacramento State - Test-free; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sacramento State Nov 30, 2026; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Sacramento State (3.42).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Sacramento State (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.3% at Sacramento State vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Sacramento State vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Sacramento State and CSUMB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Sacramento's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than Sacramento State graduates ($14,000 vs. $15,750).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Sacramento State graduates ($144 vs. $162).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Sacramento State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.