Santa Clara University vs California State University-Monterey Bay
Santa Clara University is a private university in Santa Clara, CA. California State University-Monterey Bay is a public university in Seaside, CA. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants and California State University-Monterey Bay about 97%, making Santa Clara University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,663 a year at California State University-Monterey Bay after aid, and about $50,062 at Santa Clara University. About 88% of students graduate at Santa Clara University, compared with 61% at California State University-Monterey Bay. Ten years after enrolling, Santa Clara University alumni earn a median of about $109,183, against $59,247 for California State University-Monterey Bay.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Seaside, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
6,552
6,819
Acceptance rate
48%
97%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.5–4
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
1350–1490
960–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
31–33
17–23
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$50,062
$13,663
Full cost / yr
$82,026
$26,987
In-state tuition
$61,293
$7,779
Out-of-state tuition
$61,293
$20,379
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$22,985
$9,970
$30k - $48k
$19,154
$9,981
$48k - $75k
$26,531
$12,440
$75k - $110k
$37,219
$16,281
Over $110k
$60,678
$22,818
Outcomes
Graduation rate
88%
61%
Freshman retention
94%
80%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$91,198
$48,648
Median earnings (10 yr)
$109,183
$59,247
Median debt at graduation
$19,162
$12,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
11%
43%
First-generation students
17%
52%
International students
7%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 7
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 Santa Clara University or California State University-Monterey Bay harder to get into?
- Santa Clara University is harder to get into. It admits about 48% 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, Santa Clara University or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- California State University-Monterey Bay is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,663 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $50,062 at Santa Clara University. 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 Santa Clara University and California State University-Monterey Bay?
- Before aid, California State University-Monterey Bay costs about $26,987 a year and Santa Clara University about $82,026. 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, Santa Clara University or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- California State University-Monterey Bay. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,970 there, against about $22,985 at Santa Clara University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Santa Clara University or California State University-Monterey Bay?
- California State University-Monterey Bay is the larger of the two, with about 6,819 undergraduates against 6,552 at Santa Clara University.
- Does Santa Clara University or California State University-Monterey Bay have a better graduation rate?
- Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 61% at California State University-Monterey Bay.
- Do graduates of Santa Clara University or California State University-Monterey Bay earn more?
- Santa Clara University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $109,183 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,247 for California State University-Monterey Bay. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Santa Clara University and California State University-Monterey Bay require SAT or ACT scores?
- Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University and California State University-Monterey Bay look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1490 at Santa Clara University and 960–1160 at California State University-Monterey Bay. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Santa Clara University vs Stanford UniversitySanta Clara University vs Loyola Marymount UniversitySanta Clara University vs University of San DiegoCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay vs Stanford UniversityCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay vs Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay vs University of San Diego
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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