California State University-Monterey Bay
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at California State University-Monterey Bay, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 22% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 45th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at California State University-Monterey Bay
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $117,088 | $134,489 | +51% | #8 of 966 | #11 | $5,500 |
| Computer Science | $71,458 | $101,787 | -5% | #159 of 349 | #235 | $16,022 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | $74,298 | -20% | #357 of 459 | #398 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,825 | $72,558 | +6% | #300 of 1176 | #589 | $13,000 |
| Mathematics | — | $62,943 | -10% | #228 of 309 | #271 | $16,500 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $34,246 | $61,480 | +3% | #30 of 87 | #46 | $14,093 |
| Marine Sciences | $27,268 | $59,782 | +14% | — | — | $17,149 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,413 | $59,017 | +11% | #107 of 476 | #225 | $13,322 |
| Social Sciences | $34,678 | $57,200 | +7% | #29 of 87 | #44 | $11,000 |
| Human Services | $37,501 | $56,719 | +17% | #11 of 94 | #25 | $13,750 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $35,760 | $55,856 | -2% | #69 of 137 | #109 | $11,000 |
| Biology | $35,312 | $55,654 | -3% | #504 of 841 | #710 | $19,000 |
| Psychology | $29,168 | $54,074 | +7% | #297 of 1027 | #595 | $11,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,712 | $51,598 | -6% | #169 of 265 | #232 | $16,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $34,089 | $51,118 | +5% | #51 of 172 | #124 | $11,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,378 | $48,639 | -6% | #189 of 299 | #239 | $13,902 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,929 | $47,736 | -13% | #479 of 610 | #578 | $12,795 |
| Music | $28,009 | $40,077 | -7% | #183 of 268 | #219 | $17,250 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,496 | $39,954 | -21% | #147 of 158 | #153 | $15,250 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | $39,824 | -28% | #220 of 225 | #221 | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | — | $34,006 | -18% | #377 of 423 | #404 | $14,895 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The California State University-Monterey Bay Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $799,863
- Avg rent near campus: $3,041/mo — vs ~$976/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 93933 (3.1% cap, Marina)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where California State University-Monterey Bay Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $8,786 | |
| Board | $5,316 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $28,719 | $40,599 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,654 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,487 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,868 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,745 |
| $110,001+ | $23,874 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California State University-Monterey Bay's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Monterey Bay?
How much does it cost to attend California State University-Monterey Bay?
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Monterey Bay?
Is California State University-Monterey Bay a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California State University-Monterey Bay?
Is there rental demand near California State University-Monterey Bay?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for California State University-Monterey Bay — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to California State University-Monterey Bay
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology