San Francisco State University vs California State University-Monterey Bay
San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco, CA. California State University-Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, CA. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants and California State University-Monterey Bay about 97%, making San Francisco State University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,278 a year at San Francisco State University after aid, and about $13,663 at California State University-Monterey Bay. About 61% of students graduate at California State University-Monterey Bay, compared with 50% at San Francisco State University. Ten years after enrolling, San Francisco State University alumni earn a median of about $68,077, against $59,247 for California State University-Monterey Bay.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
San Francisco, CA
Seaside, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
18,639
6,819
Acceptance rate
96%
97%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
930–1130
960–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
16–23
17–23
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,278
$13,663
Full cost / yr
$26,488
$26,987
In-state tuition
$7,950
$7,779
Out-of-state tuition
$20,550
$20,379
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,341
$9,970
$30k - $48k
$9,867
$9,981
$48k - $75k
$11,825
$12,440
$75k - $110k
$14,556
$16,281
Over $110k
$22,523
$22,818
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
61%
Freshman retention
83%
80%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$52,650
$48,648
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,077
$59,247
Median debt at graduation
$15,371
$12,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
42%
43%
First-generation students
48%
52%
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Apr 15
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 San Francisco State University or California State University-Monterey Bay harder to get into?
- San Francisco State University is harder to get into. It admits about 96% 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, San Francisco State University or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- San Francisco State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,278 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 San Francisco State University and California State University-Monterey Bay?
- Before aid, San Francisco State University costs about $26,488 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, San Francisco State University or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- San Francisco State University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,341 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, San Francisco State University or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- San Francisco State University is the larger of the two, with about 18,639 undergraduates against 6,819 at California State University-Monterey Bay.
- Does San Francisco State University 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 50% at San Francisco State University.
- Do graduates of San Francisco State University or California State University-Monterey Bay earn more?
- San Francisco State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $68,077 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,247 for California State University-Monterey Bay. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do San Francisco State University and California State University-Monterey Bay require SAT or ACT scores?
- San Francisco State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. California State University-Monterey Bay is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do San Francisco State University and California State University-Monterey Bay look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1130 at San Francisco State University and 960–1160 at California State University-Monterey Bay. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
San Francisco State University vs University of California-Los AngelesSan Francisco State University vs University of Southern CaliforniaSan Francisco State University 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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