At $14,487/yr net price, California State University-Monterey Bay graduates earn $59,247/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,247/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,487 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $57,948 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,247/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,247/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,654/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,487/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,868/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,745/yr |
| $110,001+ | $23,874/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
63.2% of students at California State University-Monterey Bay graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 37% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
California State University-Monterey Bay gives you a solid financial return for a public school. Median debt of $12,750 is low, and it sits well below the median 10-year earnings of $59,247. You leave with manageable payments and a wage that clears them. That balance is the strongest thing this school has going for it.
Your major decides everything here. Nursing pays the most and costs the least to finance, with graduates carrying just $5,500 in debt against earnings near $76,000. Computer Science and Computer and Information Sciences both land around $60,000, though CS students borrow roughly three times what nursing students do. Business Administration and Design and Applied Arts trail behind at $46,000 and $40,000, and Design graduates take on more debt than business ones to earn less. If you want the return, the health and computing tracks are where it lives.
The main risk is finishing. A 63% graduation rate means more than a third of students leave without a degree, and the low debt figures only apply to those who complete. Drop out with loans and no credential and the math turns against you fast. The 79% retention rate shows most people make it past year one, so the danger is in the later years.
Family income shapes your actual cost sharply. Under $30k, you pay under $10,000 a year. over $110k, you pay nearly $24,000. Lower-income families get the best deal here, and the Seaside price stays reasonable across all tiers.
This school fits you if you head into nursing, computer science, or information systems and plan to graduate. If you are drawn to design or general business and expect a fast payoff, weigh the lower earnings before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State University-Monterey Bay worth the cost?
CSU-Monterey Bay offers decent value with a low net price of $14,487 per year and median debt of just $12,750. However, the 10-year median earnings of $59,247 are below average for college graduates, and the 63% graduation rate means over one-third of students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at California State University-Monterey Bay?
Business administration leads with $79,389 in median earnings, followed by nursing at $76,460. Computer science graduates earn $61,516, which is lower than the national average for tech programs.
How much debt do California State University-Monterey Bay graduates have?
The median debt is $12,750, which is relatively low compared to national averages. The affordable net price of $14,487 per year helps keep borrowing manageable for most students.
Does California State University-Monterey Bay have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects vary significantly by major, with business and nursing graduates earning well above the school's median. The 92% acceptance rate and moderate graduation rate suggest academic standards that may not impress all employers.