Wall Street Journal rankings recognize CSUMB's excellence and value

Cal State Monterey Bay’s average net price for a bachelor’s degree is just $14,487, and data shows graduates earn an average of $31,458 more in annual salary as a result. Those numbers show that CSUMB is one of the best values in higher education, placing it No. 24 among public universities in California, just ahead of UC Santa Cruz, and 172nd nationally in the 2026 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings released this week.

“Cal State Monterey Bay is deeply committed to providing accessible and affordable education for our students that allows them to transform their lives, their families and contribute meaningfully to our region,” said CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones. “The latest Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings recognize our success at providing our students with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to thrive in real-world jobs and move our local industries forward.”

The journal’s rankings categories for CSUMB include the following:

• Overall Rank: 172 (nationwide)
  
  
• Rank among California public universities: 24
  
  
• Diversity score: 92
  
  
• Graduation rate score: 80
  
  
• Average net price: $14,487
  
  
• Value added to graduate salary: $31,458
  
  
• Estimated time to recoup cost: 1 year, 10 months
  
  

The methodology for the rankings includes assessments of graduation rates, post-college earnings, affordability, campus experience and social mobility. CSUMB’s results underscore its student-centered mission and consistent impact, especially for first-generation and historically underrepresented students.

Provost Andrew Lawson said, “Our strong showing in national rankings reflects a culture built around academic excellence, a commitment to our regional community and local industries, and strong post-graduate outcomes for students.”

In July, Money magazine reinforced this message, awarding CSUMB 4.5 out of 5 stars in its “Best Colleges in America” guide, citing the university’s “accessible and affordable” programs and strong performance on economic mobility measures. CSUMB was also one of just 12 institutions to receive Money’s five-star rating for master’s programs in education.

To learn more about CSUMB’s outcomes and rankings, visit the Rankings webpage.