Cal State (CSU) guide · By CalChannel Editorial Team · Updated September 29, 2026
CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) admitted 97% of its 14,933 first-year applicants in the latest federal data (2024-25), and SAT and ACT scores are not used. California residents pay $9,187 in tuition and campus fees for 2026-27, and the full on-campus budget is $31,673. CSUMB is a Cal State campus in Seaside, not a UC.
CSU Monterey Bay gets searched under a lot of names: CSUMB, Cal State Monterey Bay, Monterey Bay University, even “UC Monterey.” That last one causes real confusion, so let’s settle it: there is no UC campus in Monterey. CSUMB is a Cal State campus, with Cal State admission rules and Cal State pricing.
Here’s what matters if you’re considering it: how easy it is to get in, what it costs in 2026-27, and whether a young campus on a former Army base on the Monterey Bay coast is the right fit.
| Fact | CSU Monterey Bay |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university, California State University system |
| Location | 100 Campus Center, Seaside, California (former Fort Ord) |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Acceptance rate | 97% (2024-25: 14,545 admitted of 14,933 applicants) |
| Minimum GPA (CSU) | 2.5 for California residents; 3.0 for nonresidents |
| SAT/ACT | Not used for admission |
| Students | 7,713 total, 6,907 undergraduates (Fall 2024) |
| Tuition and campus fees, California residents (2026-27) | $9,187 ($6,838 tuition + $2,349 campus fees) |
| Cost of attendance, on campus (2026-27) | $31,673 |
| Average net price (2023-24) | $14,493 |
| Retention / six-year graduation rate | 80% / 59% (2018 cohort) |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 24:1 |
| Athletics | Otters, NCAA Division II (CCAA) |
Sources: CSUMB Undergraduate Tuition and Fees 2026-27; College Navigator (IPEDS); CSU Admission Handbook. Full list at the end of the article.
In This Article
What Is CSUMB, and Is It Public or Private?
CSUMB is California State University, Monterey Bay, a public university in the California State University system. It was founded in 1994 on the grounds of Fort Ord, a U.S. Army base that closed that year, which makes it one of the youngest campuses in the CSU.
Because it’s public, California residents pay state-subsidized CSU tuition, and admission follows the same systemwide rules as every other Cal State campus. CSUMB is also a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution; in Fall 2023, 54% of undergraduates were Hispanic.
Is “UC Monterey” a Real UC Campus?
No. There is no University of California campus in Monterey. People searching for “UC Monterey” or “UC Monterey Bay” almost always mean CSU Monterey Bay. The nearest UC campus is UC Santa Cruz, on the other side of Monterey Bay. The difference matters: UC and CSU campuses have separate applications, different admission standards and different tuition.
CSUMB Acceptance Rate
The CSUMB acceptance rate is about 97%. In 2024-25, the latest year in federal data, Cal State Monterey Bay admitted 14,545 of 14,933 first-year applicants, and 1,419 of them enrolled. That Cal State Monterey Bay acceptance rate is far above the rates at San Diego State (37% for Fall 2025) and above Cal State Fullerton (88%). For California students who meet CSU eligibility requirements, CSUMB is one of the most accessible four-year universities in the state.
Here’s the trend worth knowing. CSUMB used to be much more selective, admitting about 35% of applicants in 2016-17 and 53% in 2017-18. The rate climbed past 90% by 2021-22 as applications fell, and applications jumped again to 14,933 in 2024-25, the most since 2016-17.
| Admissions year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance rate | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-25 | 14,933 | 14,545 | 97.4% | 1,419 |
| 2023-24 | 11,769 | 11,160 | 94.8% | 943 |
| 2022-23 | 12,568 | 11,611 | 92.4% | 904 |
| 2021-22 | 10,026 | 9,324 | 93.0% | 746 |
| 2019-20 | 12,327 | 9,280 | 75.3% | 1,046 |
| 2016-17 | 16,258 | 5,729 | 35.2% | 802 |
Sources: College Navigator (2024-25); earlier years from IPEDS data via CollegeTuitionCompare.
Keep in mind that a high acceptance rate is partly a result of who applies. Most applicants already meet the CSU course and GPA requirements, so a 97% rate doesn’t mean the requirements are optional. Only about 10% of admitted students enroll, which tells you most applicants also have other Cal State or UC offers.
CSUMB GPA Requirements and Admission Rules
CSUMB uses the CSU’s systemwide first-year requirements. California residents need a minimum 2.5 GPA in A-G courses, and nonresidents need a 3.0. Applicants with a 2.0 to 2.49 GPA (or 2.5 to 2.99 for nonresidents) may still be considered based on supplemental factors such as household income and extracurricular involvement.
- Courses: complete the 15-course A-G college preparatory pattern with grades of C or better
- GPA: 2.5 minimum for California residents, 3.0 for nonresidents
- Tests: SAT and ACT scores are not used for admission, only for course placement if you choose to send them
- Where to apply: Cal State Apply, which opens October 1 for the following fall term
- Priority filing: through November 30 for fall admission
So what GPA do you really need for CSUMB? If you’re a California resident with a 2.5 or higher in your A-G courses and you apply during the priority filing period, your odds are very strong. Students below 2.5 should still apply, since the CSU reviews that range with supplemental factors.
Transferring to CSUMB
Transfer students follow CSU upper-division transfer rules. In general, you need at least 60 transferable semester units, a 2.0 minimum GPA in transferable coursework and the “Golden Four” general education courses (oral communication, written communication, critical thinking and college-level math) completed with a C- or better. Students coming from a California community college with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) get priority consideration in a similar major. See our California community colleges guide to plan that path from your first semester.
How Much Does CSUMB Cost?
For 2026-27, CSUMB tuition is $6,838 a year for full-time California residents ($3,419 per semester), and campus fees add $2,349, for $9,187 in tuition and fees. Part-time students taking 6 or fewer units pay $3,962 in tuition. The full cost of attendance depends mostly on where you live:
| CSUMB cost of attendance, 2026-27 | With parents | On campus | Off campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,838 | $6,838 | $6,838 |
| Campus fees | $2,349 | $2,349 | $2,349 |
| Books, course materials and supplies | $854 | $854 | $854 |
| Housing | $4,695 | $11,169 | $11,396 |
| Food | $4,835 | $6,279 | $8,390 |
| Transportation | $2,327 | $1,510 | $3,148 |
| Personal | $3,584 | $2,674 | $4,880 |
| Total | $25,482 | $31,673 | $37,855 |
Source: CSUMB Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, 2026-2027. A separate budget for students living on campus with dependents is $31,933.
Nonresidents pay an additional $471 per unit on top of the resident rate, the same nonresident charge used across the CSU.
Most students pay less than the budget. CSUMB’s average net price for first-time, full-time students receiving grant aid was $14,493 in 2023-24, according to College Navigator. Cal Grant and the Pell Grant can cover much or all of tuition for eligible Californians, and CSU campuses offer need-based State University Grants.
“At a Cal State like CSUMB, tuition is the smaller part of the bill. Housing and living costs make up most of the $31,673 on-campus budget, and they’re the part Cal Grant tuition awards don’t touch. When you compare CSUMB with living at home and attending a closer campus, compare full budgets, not tuition alone.”
CalChannel Editorial Team
How to Lower Your CSUMB Cost
- File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application every year, since Cal Grant, Pell and State University Grant eligibility all start there
- Know which Cal Grant you get: Cal Grant A pays tuition and fees, while Cal Grant B adds a living allowance for lower-income students
- Check the Middle Class Scholarship, which helps CSU and UC students from families above typical Cal Grant income limits
- Compare living with parents ($25,482) against living on campus ($31,673); the difference is almost entirely housing and food
For comparison, California residents pay $9,780 in tuition and campus fees at San Diego State and $8,516 at Cal State Fullerton for 2026-27, so CSUMB sits in the middle of CSU pricing. Its on-campus budget of $31,673 is lower than at either of those campuses.
Where Is CSUMB Located?
CSUMB’s main campus is at 100 Campus Center in Seaside, California, on the former Fort Ord, with land extending into neighboring Marina. The campus covers about 1,350 acres near the Monterey Bay coast, close to Monterey, Carmel and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and roughly a two-hour drive south of San Francisco.
The location shapes student life. It’s a quieter, coastal setting rather than a big-city campus, and it puts marine science, environmental studies and outdoor recreation right at the edge of campus.
Majors and What CSUMB Is Known For
CSUMB is best known for marine science, social mobility and its coastal location. Marine science draws about 9% of majors, alongside larger programs in psychology (13%) and computer science (10%). The university offers more than 80 majors, minors and concentrations across six colleges, and in 2026 it added new majors including public health and interdisciplinary studies, with history and communications starting in Fall 2027.
CSUMB also does well on access, and it is regularly recognized for social mobility among regional universities in the West. The Otters compete in NCAA Division II in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, and the school colors are blue, green and sand.
On outcomes, 80% of full-time first-year students return for a second year, 59% of the 2018 entering class graduated within six years, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 24:1, according to federal data. If you’re comparing Cal State options, see our guides to Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Northridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSUMB hard to get into?
No. CSUMB admitted about 97% of first-year applicants in 2024-25. California residents who complete the A-G courses with at least a 2.5 GPA are strong candidates.
What GPA do you need for CSUMB?
The CSU minimum is a 2.5 GPA in A-G courses for California residents and 3.0 for nonresidents. Applicants from 2.0 to 2.49 may still be considered based on supplemental factors.
How much is CSUMB tuition?
For 2026-27, full-time California residents pay $6,838 in tuition plus $2,349 in campus fees, or $9,187 in total. The full on-campus cost of attendance is $31,673, and nonresidents pay an extra $471 per unit.
Is “UC Monterey” a real UC campus?
No. There’s no UC campus in Monterey. “UC Monterey” searches usually refer to CSU Monterey Bay, a Cal State campus. The nearest UC is UC Santa Cruz.
Why was CSUMB built on a former military base?
Fort Ord, a U.S. Army base, closed in 1994, and part of its land was converted into a new CSU campus that year. Reusing the base gave the CSU room for a large campus on the Monterey Peninsula.
Is CSUMB good for marine science?
Marine science is one of CSUMB’s signature programs, drawing about 9% of majors. The campus sits near the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which puts field sites within easy reach.
What is myCSUMB?
myCSUMB is the university’s student portal, where students register for classes, check financial aid and pay fees. Admitted students use it to complete enrollment steps.
The Bottom Line on CSUMB
CSU Monterey Bay is a public Cal State campus with a 97% acceptance rate, $9,187 in 2026-27 tuition and campus fees for California residents and a coastal location that suits students interested in marine science, the environment or a smaller campus. It is not a UC, and it follows standard CSU rules: A-G courses, a 2.5 GPA for residents and no SAT or ACT. Compare CSUMB with San José State, Chico State and other Cal State campuses.
The main number to plan around is the full budget, $31,673 on campus, rather than tuition alone. File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, check your Cal Grant and State University Grant eligibility, and compare that net cost with other Cal State options before you commit.
Sources
- California State University, Monterey Bay. “Undergraduate Tuition & Fees, 2026-2027.” csumb.edu.
- National Center for Education Statistics. “College Navigator: California State University-Monterey Bay.”
- California State University. “Admission Handbook 2026-2027.” calstate.edu.
- California State University. “Undergraduate Admissions and Standardized Tests.” calstate.edu.
- California State University, Monterey Bay. “CSUMB Adds Multiple Majors to Its List of Degrees.” 2026.
- CollegeTuitionCompare. “CSUMB Admission Trends.” Based on IPEDS data.
- Wikipedia. “California State University, Monterey Bay.” Wikipedia.org.
CalChannel Editorial Team California college guides
The CalChannel editorial team researches and writes guides to California colleges, admissions and financial aid. We build our college profiles and aid guides from colleges’ own published data, federal IPEDS data and the California Student Aid Commission. Read our editorial policy.
