La Sierra University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, 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 Monterey Bay is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 22.1% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($13,431 vs. $17,234).
• Out-of-state tuition is 85% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $17,331 more per year; $37,710 vs. $20,379).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Monterey Bay (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 126.9% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($27,646 vs. $12,185).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at La Sierra University than at CSUMB (23 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both La Sierra University and CSUMB.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at La Sierra University average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.09 higher than at CSUMB (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $16,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($14,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($144 vs. $310).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 52%).

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