Salem State University vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Salem State University in Salem, MA 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 Salem State University based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Salem State University is located in Salem, MA (Large Suburban setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Salem 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: Salem State University 12:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salem State University are 2.3% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($16,838 vs. $17,234).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.3% higher at CSUMB than at Salem State University (about $848 more per year; $20,379 vs. $19,531).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($12,185 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Salem State University and CSUMB.
• Typical fall application deadline: Salem State University Jun 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSUMB average a 3.45 high school GPA, 0.28 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.3% at Salem State University vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($14,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($144 vs. $248).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University 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.