Central Washington University vs. CSUMB

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

Central Washington University
California State University Monterey Bay

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Central Washington University (90.6% admitted vs 97.4%). Typical SAT 1040 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSUMB. Average net price is $14,493 vs $19,898 at Central Washington University.
  • Graduation: Central Washington University 56% vs CSUMB 38%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Central Washington University $47,800 vs CSUMB $45,300 (median).
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Key differences

Central Washington University California State University Monterey Bay
Acceptance rate
Central Washington University more selective
Central Washington University90.6%
CSUMB97.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSUMB higher
Central Washington University930-1150
CSUMB960-1160
Average net price
CSUMB $5,405 less
Central Washington University$19,898
CSUMB$14,493
In-state tuition
CSUMB $1,638 less
Central Washington University$9,417
CSUMB$7,779
Out-of-state tuition
CSUMB $7,147 less
Central Washington University$27,526
CSUMB$20,379
Graduation rate
Central Washington University +18 pts
Central Washington University56%
CSUMB38%
Median earnings (10 years)
Central Washington University +$2,500
Central Washington University$47,800
CSUMB$45,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Central Washington University 8,919
  • CSUMB 14,933
  • Admitted
  • Central Washington University 8,082
  • CSUMB 14,545
  • Acceptance rate
  • Central Washington University 90.6%
  • CSUMB 97.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Central Washington University 20%
  • CSUMB 9.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Central Washington University 1040
  • CSUMB 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • Central Washington University 20
  • CSUMB 20
  • Average high school GPA
  • Central Washington University 3.08
  • CSUMB 3.45
  • Typical high school grades
  • Central Washington University B
  • CSUMB B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Central Washington University Very Easy
  • CSUMB Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Central Washington University
  • CSUMB
  • SAT range
  • Central Washington University 930-1150
  • CSUMB 960-1160
  • ACT range
  • Central Washington University 17-24
  • CSUMB 17-23
  • Submit test scores
  • Central Washington University Test-free
  • CSUMB Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027
  • CSUMB Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Central Washington University $9,417
  • CSUMB $7,779
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Central Washington University $27,526
  • CSUMB $20,379
  • Room & board
  • Central Washington University $16,480
  • CSUMB $17,234
  • Average net price
  • Central Washington University $19,898
  • CSUMB $14,493
  • Average grant aid
  • Central Washington University $8,816
  • CSUMB $12,185
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Central Washington University 85%
  • CSUMB 71%
  • Graduation rate
  • Central Washington University 56%
  • CSUMB 38%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Central Washington University $47,800
  • CSUMB $45,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Central Washington University 60%
  • CSUMB 66%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Central Washington University $20,737
  • CSUMB $14,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Central Washington University $214
  • CSUMB $144
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Central Washington University 15:1
  • CSUMB 24:1
  • Popular majors
  • Central Washington University
    • Business (29%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (4%)
  • CSUMB
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (22%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Location
  • Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
  • CSUMB Seaside, CA
  • Setting
  • Central Washington University Distant Town
  • CSUMB Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Central Washington University 10,811
  • CSUMB 7,713
  • Type
  • Central Washington University Public 4 Year
  • CSUMB Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Central Washington University #621
  • CSUMB #867

Comparable Facts

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

Central Washington University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (10,811 students vs. 7,713 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Central Washington University 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: Central Washington University 15:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Washington University are 4.4% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,480 vs. $17,234).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at Central Washington University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $7,147 more per year; $27,526 vs. $20,379).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at California State University Monterey Bay (85% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 38.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($12,185 vs. $8,816).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Central Washington University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 20) as students at CSUMB (20).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Central Washington University and CSUMB.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CSUMB average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.37 higher than at Central Washington University (3.08).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $6,737 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($14,000 vs. $20,737).
  • Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($144 vs. $214).
  • More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 60%).

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

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