Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 62.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 63.2%
- Retention Rate
- 79.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $59,247
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $12,750
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 66.4%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $135/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $79,389 | $41,069 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $76,460 | $5,500 |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design. | Master | $71,957 | $14,540 |
| Education, General. | Master | $63,005 | $16,750 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $16,022 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $60,049 | |
| Social Work. | Master | $55,964 | $25,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $13,000 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $40,368 | $13,902 |
| Human Services, General. | Bachelor | $36,533 | $13,750 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $34,603 | $11,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $16,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $32,569 | $16,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $32,467 | $13,322 |
| Marine Sciences. | Bachelor | $29,995 | $17,149 |
Outcomes Overview
CSU Monterey Bay graduates earn a median of $59,247 ten years after graduation, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 22% with typical debt loads of $12,750. Monthly loan payments of $135 represent only 2.7% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 92.8% employment rate reflects strong job placement in marine science, environmental consulting, and California's tech sector. Many graduates leverage the school's sustainability focus and coastal location to enter growing green economy careers. The relatively low debt burden combined with solid earning potential in California's job market creates a strong return on investment for most students.