UH at Hilo vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Hawaii at Hilo in Hilo, HI 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 Monterey Bay is larger than UH at Hilo based on total student enrollment (7,713 students vs. 2,668 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Hawaii at Hilo is located in Hilo, HI (Remote Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo 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: University of Hawaii at Hilo 11:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

UH at Hilo vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH at Hilo 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 University of Hawaii at Hilo than CSUMB ($12,673 vs. $14,493).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Hilo are 32.8% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($11,586 vs. $17,234).
• University of Hawaii at Hilo is 0.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $59 more per year; $7,838.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at UH at Hilo than at California State University Monterey Bay (about $419 more per year; $20,798.00 vs. $20,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hawaii at Hilo than at California State University Monterey Bay (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 53.9% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Hilo students ($12,185 vs. $7,918).

UH at Hilo vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UH at Hilo 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 UH at Hilo.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Hawaii at Hilo (1060) is the same as at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming CSUMB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 18 at UH at Hilo).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 945/1175; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Hawaii at Hilo 15/22; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH at Hilo - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH at Hilo Jul 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UH at Hilo (3.36).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than UH at Hilo (60.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.7% at UH at Hilo vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

UH at Hilo vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH at Hilo 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 Monterey Bay's six-year graduation rate (38%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Hilo's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than UH at Hilo graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,300 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $5,903 lower median loan debt than UH at Hilo graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,903).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH at Hilo graduates ($144 vs. $205).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH at Hilo students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.