Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks California State University-Monterey Bay #133 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $15,435 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California State University-Monterey Bay in the 92.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks California State University-Monterey Bay #131 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Students at California State University-Monterey Bay earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, a result that reflects the university's business-anchored program mix and its ability to move a diverse, access-oriented student body into careers with real earnings traction. Azimuth's composite ranking captures how California State University-Monterey Bay balances affordability, mobility, and returns — delivering outcomes that hold up well relative to cost among nonprofit four-year institutions.
California State University-Monterey Bay prices access to a four-year degree at levels that reflect its public mission. Low-income families pay approximately $9,970 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $12,440, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at roughly $22,818. Azimuth ranks California State University-Monterey Bay #96 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay reflects the university's participation in federal, state, and institutional aid programs, which meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket costs for students who qualify for need-based support. Need-based aid plays a central role in how California State University-Monterey Bay prices access across income levels. As a California State University campus, students may draw on Cal Grants, federal Pell Grants, and institutional scholarships, with the combination often closing a substantial portion of the gap between the published cost of attendance of $26,987 and actual family cost. Middle-income families in particular benefit from the layered aid structure, which keeps net prices more predictable than at many private institutions. Families should review their specific aid eligibility carefully, as individual packages vary within each income band. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $12,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,836; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,324, median federal debt of $12,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $144 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
California State University-Monterey Bay is a strong fit for students in CA who want a public university grounded in applied, career-oriented fields — particularly those drawn to Business and related disciplines — and who are looking for a path to solid post-graduation earnings without taking on excessive debt. Graduates earn in the 57.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and California State University-Monterey Bay sits in the 92.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — meaning graduates earn about $15,435 more than similar students at comparable institutions relative to similar students at comparable institutions. The access profile is broad. 43.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 51.8% are first-generation college students, and California State University-Monterey Bay sits in the 70.6 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure — a signal that the institution delivers meaningful outcomes for students who need the most from their degree. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program mix leans toward Business and applied professional fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes; and families should weigh median student debt of $12,750 against the earnings trajectory when evaluating long-run affordability.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the California State University-Monterey Bay hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
California State University-Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, CA, enrolling roughly 6,819 undergraduates. Azimuth ranks California State University-Monterey Bay #133 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Retention stands at 79.9% and the six-year graduation rate is 59.1%, figures that reflect the university's regional mission serving a mixed enrollment along California's Central Coast. The strongest dimension of California State University-Monterey Bay's composite is mobility. The university sits in the 91.2 percentile for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions, driven by a student population where 43.2% receive Pell Grants and 51.8% are first-generation college students. That broad-access profile, paired with outcomes that move low-income graduates toward meaningful earnings gains, anchors the institution's overall standing. The dominant program family is Business, and the university's program mix channels graduates into fields with steady regional employer demand. Return on investment is the lower-ranked pillar in the composite — California State University-Monterey Bay sits in the 67.3 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $62,324, and graduates earn about $15,435 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California State University-Monterey Bay in the 92.8 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 93.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, and access sits in the 73.2 percentile for access among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the university's open admissions posture — California State University-Monterey Bay admits about 97.4% of applicants.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
52 graduates
Computer Science
191 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
265 graduates
Mathematics
21 graduates
International/Globalization Studies
10 graduates
California State University-Monterey Bay's program mix is anchored in Business, with additional strength in liberal arts, social sciences, and health-related fields. Business accounts for 15% of graduates, followed by Social Sciences at 5% and Arts at 4%.
Across 23 programs serving roughly 1,933 students annually, 19 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold — a focused portfolio that reflects the university's regional comprehensive identity. Computer Science combines the largest cohort with strong earnings, making it the program that contributes most to California State University-Monterey Bay's overall financial outcomes.
Azimuth ranks Computer Science #86 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $101,787. Azimuth ranks Business Administration #72 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 265 graduates earning $72,558.
General Studies (242 graduates, $59,017) and Psychology, General (231 graduates, $54,074) round out the largest programs by enrollment. Several of California State University-Monterey Bay's strongest programs feed directly into California's workforce needs.
Business and health-adjacent fields are high-mobility pathways where graduates enter the labor market immediately, and four-year earnings reflect actual employer demand. Programs in the social sciences and liberal arts are more likely to serve as foundations for graduate study or credentialing, where four-year earnings undercount the longer trajectory.
The [supply-demand map for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides additional context for how these fields align with national and regional hiring trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of California-Merced Similar quality tier in West (#4279 ranked) | CA | 91% | $64,368 | #4279 |
Farmingdale State College Similar quality tier (#4278 ranked) | NY | 63% | $69,781 | #4278 | Compare |
Illinois State University Similar quality tier (#4275 ranked) | IL | 88% | $62,117 | #4275 | Compare |
University Of Massachusetts-Lowell Similar quality tier (#4273 ranked) | MA | 83% | $64,874 | #4273 | Compare |
Utah State University Similar quality tier in West (#4286 ranked) | UT | 92% | $54,022 | #4286 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State University-Monterey Bay prices access to a four-year degree at levels that reflect its public mission. Low-income families pay approximately $9,970 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $12,440, and higher-income families pay correspondingly more at roughly $22,818.
Azimuth ranks California State University-Monterey Bay #96 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay reflects the university's participation in federal, state, and institutional [aid programs](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), which meaningfully reduce out-of-pocket costs for students who qualify for need-based support.
Need-based aid plays a central role in how California State University-Monterey Bay prices access across income levels. As a California State University campus, students may draw on Cal Grants, federal Pell Grants, and institutional scholarships, with the combination often closing a substantial portion of the gap between the published cost of attendance of $26,987 and actual family cost.
Middle-income families in particular benefit from the layered aid structure, which keeps net prices more predictable than at many private institutions. Families should review their specific aid eligibility carefully, as individual packages vary within each income band.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $12,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $16,836; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,324, median federal debt of $12,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $144 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of California State University-Monterey Bay earn median earnings of $62,324 four years after enrollment, placing California State University-Monterey Bay in the 57.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure sits below the $56,249 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $15,435 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 92.8 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Those figures still represent lifetime returns relative to CA's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $34,672 (the state median earnings of working adults without a postsecondary credential).
The degree mix at California State University-Monterey Bay is anchored in Business, which accounts for 15% of graduates, followed by Social Sciences at 5% and Arts at 4%. Computer Science combines the largest cohort scale with competitive earnings, making it a central contributor to the institution's overall return profile.
Azimuth ranks Business Administration #72 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with 265 graduates earning median earnings of $72,558. The General Studies program graduates 242 students with median earnings of $59,017, and Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #68 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 231 graduates earning median earnings of $54,074.
