Saginaw Valley State University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI 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 Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 6,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Saginaw Valley State 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: Saginaw Valley State University 16:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 28.4% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($12,340 vs. $17,234).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.4% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $10,071 more per year; $30,450 vs. $20,379).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students ($13,512 vs. $12,185).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at CSUMB (22 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Saginaw Valley State University, test-free at CSUMB.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at CSUMB (3.45).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16% at Saginaw Valley State University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($14,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($144 vs. $279).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 48%).

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