Cost of Attendance
At CSUMB, we rely on a federal formula to review every student's financial circumstances and calculate financial aid eligibility according to the Student Aid Index (SAI) formerly known as Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and cost of attendance.
For example, a student living on campus and enrolled full-time has a cost of attendance of $28,717. Suppose the SAI (determined by the Department of Education based on the FAFSA) is $3000. In that case, the financial aid office will subtract the SAI from the cost of attendance to determine financial aid eligibility.
Cost of Attendance: $28,717
Student Aid Index: - $3,000
Financial Aid Eligibility: $25,717
Use our Cost of Attendance Calculator
Estimated Cost of Attendance
Your actual cost of attendance will vary depending on your program, residency status, and your specific personal living arrangements and costs. Estimates represent the typical cost for a student to attend CSUMB for a nine-month academic year (fall and spring semester).
Living With Parents 2024-2025 Academic Year (two semesters) Total fees $7,779 Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $899 Living expenses $10,310 Transportation $2,553 Miscellaneous $3,261 Estimated Cost of Attendance $24,802 Living On Campus 2024-2025 Academic Year (two semesters) Total fees $7,779 Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $899 Living expenses $17,234 Transportation $1,674 Miscellaneous $2,511 Estimated Cost of Attendance $30,097 Living Off-Campus 2024-2025 Academic Year (two semesters) Total fees $7,779 Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $899 Living expenses $21,618 Transportation $3,032 Miscellaneous $4,213 Estimated Cost of Attendance $37,541 *Loan fees are applied only if the student borrows a Federal Student Loans or the parents borrow a Federal PLUS loan.
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated cost to attend CSUMB during the 9-month academic year (August to May).
While your individual costs may vary, the COA reflects a modest living allowance. Figures are from the CSU’s recommended standard student budgets in conjunction with CSAC’s Student Expense Budgets.
Living With Parents 2023-2024 Academic Year (two semesters) Total fees $7,353 Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $864 Living expenses $9,561 Transportation $2,426 Miscellaneous $3,136 Estimated Cost of Attendance $23,422 Living On Campus 2023-2024 Academic Year (two semesters) Total fees $7,353 Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $864 Living expenses $16,413 Transportation $1,590 Miscellaneous $2,415 Estimated Cost of Attendance $28,717 Living Off-Campus 2023-2024 Academic Year (two semesters) Total fees $7,353 Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $864 Living expenses $20,923 Transportation $2,880 Miscellaneous $4,051 Estimated Cost of Attendance $36,152 *Loan fees are applied only if the student borrows a Federal Student Loans or the parents borrow a Federal PLUS loan.
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated cost to attend CSUMB during the 9-month academic year (August to May).
While your individual costs may vary, the COA reflects a modest living allowance. Figures are from the CSU’s recommended standard student budgets in conjunction with CSAC’s Student Expense Budgets.
Information on Off-Campus Cost: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, CSUMB provides the typical market cost of a one-bedroom apartment, two-bedroom apartment, or renting a room within a 5-mile radius of CSU Monterey Bay:
- One-Bedroom: $2,460
- Two-Bedroom: $ 2,960
- Renting a room: $1,480
Data sources: HUB 2025 Small Area Fair Market Rents
The Food and Housing costs included in the off-campus estimated cost of attendance represent the typical costs for students. Actual costs will vary for individual students. The university strongly encourages prospective students and families to consider how their costs might differ by considering whether they will face other costs that are not listed in the estimated categories or how their veteran status might affect costs.