California State University-Fresno vs California State University-Monterey Bay
California State University-Fresno is a public university in Fresno, CA, and California State University-Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, CA. California State University-Fresno is the more selective of the two, admitting about 95% of applicants against 97% at California State University-Monterey Bay. California State University-Fresno is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $7,000 a year against $13,663 at California State University-Monterey Bay. About 61% of students graduate at California State University-Monterey Bay, compared with 56% at California State University-Fresno. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-Fresno alumni earn a median of about $61,244, against $59,247 for California State University-Monterey Bay.
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At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Fresno, CA
Seaside, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
21,605
6,819
Acceptance rate
95%
97%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.06–3.56
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
890–1100
960–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
16–21
17–23
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$7,000
$13,663
Full cost / yr
$20,095
$26,987
In-state tuition
$7,350
$7,779
Out-of-state tuition
$19,950
$20,379
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$5,105
$9,970
$30k - $48k
$5,429
$9,981
$48k - $75k
$7,196
$12,440
$75k - $110k
$10,291
$16,281
Over $110k
$16,899
$22,818
Outcomes
Graduation rate
56%
61%
Freshman retention
82%
80%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$44,012
$48,648
Median earnings (10 yr)
$61,244
$59,247
Median debt at graduation
$14,505
$12,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
57%
43%
First-generation students
53%
52%
International students
2%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 1
Feb 16
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California State University-Fresno or California State University-Monterey Bay harder to get into?
- California State University-Fresno is harder to get into. It admits about 95% of applicants, compared with 97% at California State University-Monterey Bay. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California State University-Fresno or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- California State University-Fresno is cheaper on average. Students pay about $7,000 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,663 at California State University-Monterey Bay. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Fresno and California State University-Monterey Bay?
- Before aid, California State University-Fresno costs about $20,095 a year and California State University-Monterey Bay about $26,987. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Fresno or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- California State University-Fresno. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,105 there, against about $9,970 at California State University-Monterey Bay. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California State University-Fresno or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- California State University-Fresno is the larger of the two, with about 21,605 undergraduates against 6,819 at California State University-Monterey Bay.
- Does California State University-Fresno or California State University-Monterey Bay have a better graduation rate?
- California State University-Monterey Bay has the higher graduation rate, at about 61% against 56% at California State University-Fresno.
- Do graduates of California State University-Fresno or California State University-Monterey Bay earn more?
- California State University-Fresno alumni earn more on average: a median of about $61,244 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,247 for California State University-Monterey Bay. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Fresno and California State University-Monterey Bay require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Fresno is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California State University-Monterey Bay is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Fresno and California State University-Monterey Bay look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 890–1100 at California State University-Fresno and 960–1160 at California State University-Monterey Bay. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Fresno vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Fresno vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Fresno vs University of California-BerkeleyCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay vs Stanford UniversityCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay vs Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay vs Santa Clara University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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