Seaside, CA · Private University
Is California State University-Monterey Bay Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$59,247
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,437
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,317
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$77,268
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.07x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$12,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,487
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-Monterey Bay graduates earn $14,247 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State University-Monterey Bay ranked by graduate earnings
89 graduates
172 graduates
294 graduates
162 graduates
100 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-Monterey Bay
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State University-Monterey Bay, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $122,142) and the lowest (Music: $28,009) is $94,133/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $122,142 | 6.3x |
| Computer Science | $86,576 | 4.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,638 | 3.2x |
| Human Services, General | $52,771 | 2.7x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $51,606 | 2.7x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,939 | 2.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,794 | 2.4x |
| Psychology, General | $45,847 | 2.4x |
| Social Sciences, General | $44,485 | 2.3x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $44,249 | 2.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,211 | 2.2x |
| Marine Sciences | $38,329 | 2.0x |
| Biology, General | $37,651 | 1.9x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management(1yr data) | $35,760 | 1.9x |
| International/Global Studies(1yr data) | $34,246 | 1.8x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $34,089 | 1.8x |
| MusicLowest(1yr data) | $28,009 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State University-Monterey Bay stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $59,247 10 years after starting, $14,247 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.2 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to California State University-Monterey Bay?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.