California State University-Monterey Bay ★ Hidden gem
Seaside, California · Public · 6,819 undergraduates
Of 29 programs with reported earnings, 28 leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr) and 1 fall short. Another 15 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $9,970 |
| $30k to $48k | $9,981 |
| $48k to $75k | $12,440 |
| $75k to $110k | $16,281 |
| $110k and up | $22,818 |
| All families (average) | $13,663 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $72,558 | +$35,582 | clears the bar | $13,000 | 0.4 yrs |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Bachelor's Degree | $59,017 | +$22,041 | clears the bar | $13,322 | 0.6 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $54,074 | +$17,098 | clears the bar | $11,000 | 0.6 yrs |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's Degree | $101,787 | +$64,811 | clears the bar | $16,022 | 0.2 yrs |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's Degree | $47,736 | +$10,760 | clears the bar | $12,795 | 1.2 yrs |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $55,654 | +$18,678 | clears the bar | $19,000 | 1 yr |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Master's Degree | $115,179 | +$78,203 | clears the bar | $41,069 | 0.5 yrs |
| Human Services, General | Bachelor's Degree | $56,719 | +$19,743 | clears the bar | $13,750 | 0.7 yrs |
| Social Sciences, General | Bachelor's Degree | $57,200 | +$20,224 | clears the bar | $11,000 | 0.5 yrs |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | Bachelor's Degree | $51,598 | +$14,622 | clears the bar | $16,500 | 1.1 yrs |
| Marine Sciences | Bachelor's Degree | $59,782 | +$22,806 | clears the bar | $17,149 | 0.8 yrs |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | Bachelor's Degree | $51,118 | +$14,142 | clears the bar | $11,000 | 0.8 yrs |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | Bachelor's Degree | $39,954 | +$2,978 | clears the bar | $15,250 | 5.1 yrs |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's Degree | $134,489 | +$97,513 | clears the bar | $5,500 | 0.1 yrs |
| Design and Applied Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $48,639 | +$11,663 | clears the bar | $13,902 | 1.2 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 29 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 43% of students receive Pell grants · 59% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.