California State University, Monterey Bay

What California State University, Monterey Bay does

California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is a public state university founded in 1994 as the 21st campus in the California State University system, headquartered in Seaside, California with an additional visitor/administrative presence in Marina. It enrolls a student body scaled to produce nearly 2,000 graduates per commencement cycle and offers 80+ undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations alongside graduate degrees including the MBA, MS in Computer Science, MSW, MS in Speech-Language Pathology (ASHA-accredited), MS in Nursing Clinical Leadership, MS in Marine Science, MS in Environmental Science, and California teaching credentials, all organized across five colleges (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Business; Education; Health Sciences and Human Services; and Science). The university's technology stack consists of an educational technology platform comprising online program listings, an application portal with structured admissions cycles (Spring '27 opens July 1, Fall '27 opens August 1), the CSUMB SAFE mobile safety application, the OTTERalert emergency notification system with outdoor speakers, and the Wellness RAFT wellness program; no public API, SDK, or AI/ML capability is documented.

CSUMB operates under a public-institution revenue model funded primarily by California state appropriations, student tuition and fees, and grants from entities such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (a $5,000,000 award in June 2023) and the CA Volunteers/AmeriCorps partnership (a $9,000,000 grant in February 2026). Tuition and fees generate recurring per-term revenue across undergraduate and graduate programs, supplemented by community service award programs such as the College Corps Fellowship, which provides up to $10,000 per high-need student in exchange for 450 hours of community service. The go-to-market motion is hybrid: direct-to-consumer recruitment through csumb.edu, campus visits, and the admissions team, paired with community-led expansion via partnerships with Hartnell College, Monterey Peninsula College, Salinas Valley Health Medical Center, Montage Health, Natividad Medical Center, and multiple regional school districts that serve as clinical practicum sites and employer pipelines for graduates.

The institution differentiates itself via regional ecosystem lock-in rather than technology, embedding deeply with Monterey Bay-area healthcare systems, K-12 districts, and community colleges for hands-on experiential learning; positioning itself as the most residential campus in the CSU system; and emphasizing mentorship, affordability ('Public University Price, Private University Experience'), and a coastal California location. Recent strategic actions include the 2026 launch of a standalone Public Health degree, the $9M AmeriCorps-funded tripling of the College Corps Fellowship cohort, and a leadership transition to Interim President Carlos Vargas-Aburto effective August 1, 2026, following President Vanya Quiñones' tenure.

Name

California State University, Monterey Bay

Legal name

California State University, Monterey Bay

Website

https://csumb.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

California State University, Monterey Bay is a public state university founded in 1994 within the CSU system, serving Central California with 80+ undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, health sciences, computer science, and marine/environmental science. It funds operations through state appropriations, tuition, and grants, and differentiates via coastal experiential learning and regional clinical partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE), Graduation, Degree Audit & Commencement Services (EDALAAAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Public university education
• Professional credential programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seaside

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. State Funding and Grants: Public university funded by California State University system with grants from CA Volunteers, AmeriCorps, and other government sources. The College Corps Fellowship received a $9 million grant.
2. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate programs including business, education, human services, technology, and health programs.
3. Community Service Award Programs: College Corps Fellowship awards up to $10,000 to high-need students who complete 450 hours of community service in areas including K-12 education, environmental stewardship, food insecurity, and health equities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CSUMB delivers higher education services through on-campus undergraduate and graduate degree programs across more than 80 majors, minors, and concentrations, complemented by teaching credentials and certificate programs. It also provides supporting student services including a mobile safety app, emergency notification system, wellness programming, 24/7 safety escorts, NCAA Division II athletics, and more than 100 student clubs and organizations.

Product overview

California State University, Monterey Bay is a public university offering a comprehensive educational portfolio including 80+ undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, health sciences, technology, and environmental sciences. The university operates as a single unified institution with academic programs organized within five colleges (Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences and Human Services, and Science), supported by student services including the Wellness RAFT wellness program, CSUMB SAFE mobile safety app, OTTERalert emergency notification system, and 24/7 Night Walk Service. Graduate offerings include ASHA-accredited speech-language pathology, multiple teaching credentials, and professional master's degrees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs More than 80 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations spanning liberal arts, sciences, business, education, health sciences, and technology disciplines, designed for first-year and continuing undergraduates seeking mentorship-guided, hands-on residential education.
• Graduate Programs Graduate-level programs including master's degrees in computer science, education, environmental science, instructional science and technology, marine science, business administration, nursing clinical leadership, social work, and speech-language pathology, plus education credentials and certificates.
• Master of Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) ASHA-accredited Master of Science program preparing students to become speech-language pathologists, featuring five clinical practicum placements and focus on serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
• Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Graduate business degree program preparing students for leadership roles in various industries.
• Master of Computer Science (M.S.) Graduate degree program in computer science for advanced technical skills and career development.
• Teaching Credentials California-accredited preparation programs for Multiple Subject (elementary), Single Subject (secondary), and Education Specialist (special education) teaching credentials, plus administrative services and school psychology credentials.
• Liberal Studies (B.A.) Interdisciplinary undergraduate program preparing students for elementary and middle school teaching, meeting California subject matter requirements for elementary educators.
• Public Health Degree Program Standalone undergraduate or graduate major in public health, recently launched in 2026 after being a concentration within the collaborative health and human services program.
• CSUMB SAFE Mobile App Official safety application for Cal State Monterey Bay designed to help students, staff, and visitors stay safe on campus, available on Apple Store and Google Play.
• Wellness RAFT Comprehensive wellness program fostering an eight-dimensional approach to well-being (physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, occupational, financial) for students, faculty, and community members.
• OTTERalert Emergency Notification System Emergency alert system delivering notifications via email, text, desktop notification, and outdoor speaker system to the CSUMB community during emergencies.
• Emergency Management Services Coordinates emergency planning, training, response, and recovery efforts for earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, civil unrest, and other major disasters.
• Night Walk Service Walking escorts between main campus locations available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who requests it.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 2,000 graduates per commencement ceremony with strong community support (14,500 attendees)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Salinas Valley Health Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2026Hospital hosts permanent art gallery featuring 23 original works from students at CSUMB, Hartnell College, and Rancho Cielo Youth Campus. Initiative creates culturally resonant healing environment and provides emerging local artists with exhibition opportunities. Led by President and CEO Dr. Allen Radner, funded through hospital district's Foundation grants.
• California's CA Volunteers and AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Partnership providing $9 million grant to expand CSUMB's College Corps Fellowship program. Enables tripling of cohort from 70 to 100 students annually over three years while adding Hartnell College and Monterey Peninsula College as new program partners recruiting 50 students each.
• Hartnell CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026New partner in College Corps Fellowship program, recruiting 50 students annually. Collaborates with CSUMB on community service initiatives in K-12 education, environmental stewardship, food insecurity, and health equities.
• Monterey Peninsula CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026New partner in College Corps Fellowship program, recruiting 50 students annually. Collaborates with CSUMB on community service initiatives in K-12 education, environmental stewardship, food insecurity, and health equities.
• Montage HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare employer partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements. Graduates of the program work at this facility providing speech-language pathology services.
• Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare employer partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements. Graduates of the program work at this facility providing speech-language pathology services.
• Natividad Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare employer partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements. Graduates of the program work at this facility providing speech-language pathology services.
• Alisal Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements in educational settings. Graduates serve children and adults from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• North Monterey County School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements in educational settings.
• Live Oak School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements in educational settings.
• Santa Rosa School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal school district partnering with CSUMB Speech-Language Pathology program for clinical practicum placements in educational settings.
• Rancho Cielo Youth CampusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner contributing student artwork to Salinas Valley Health Medical Center's permanent art gallery featuring 23 original works from local students.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CSU San Marcos: California State University San Marcos is a fellow newer CSU campus (founded 1989) serving a similar regional, transfer-heavy student population with comparable program breadth. Both institutions target working adults, first-generation students, and regional workforce development in suburban California markets.
• CSU Channel Islands: Cal State Channel Islands is one of the newest CSU campuses (founded 2002), serving a coastal California region with a similar blend of undergraduate and graduate professional programs. Comparable in scale, mission orientation toward regional workforce needs, and emphasis on small-class mentorship.
• CSU Bakersfield: Cal State Bakersfield is a smaller CSU campus in California's Central Valley with a similar mix of undergraduate and graduate programs anchored in business, education, and health sciences. Comparable in scale and in serving a workforce-development-focused regional population.
• San Jose State University: San Jose State is a larger CSU campus in Northern California with overlapping programs in business, engineering, health sciences, and education. Direct peer within the same CSU system, sharing governance, accreditation frameworks, and tuition structure while competing for similar student demographics.
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: Cal Poly SLO is a flagship CSU campus offering comparable undergraduate and graduate programs with strong hands-on learning orientation. Closest CSU peer in terms of polytechnic-style applied education philosophy and residential campus culture.
• CSU Sacramento: Sacramento State is a large CSU campus in California's capital region with similar professional programs in health sciences, business, and education. Direct peer within the CSU system with comparable tuition model and state-appropriations funding structure.

Regional players

• UC Santa Cruz: UC Santa Cruz is a nearby University of California campus serving the Monterey Bay region with overlapping programs in sciences, social sciences, and engineering. Competes for the same regional student pool at a higher price tier with greater research orientation.
• UC Merced: UC Merced is the newest University of California campus (founded 2005), serving a similar inland-central-California workforce-development mission. Comparable as a newer public research university targeting first-generation and regional students in California's Central Valley adjacent markets.

Others

• Hartnell College: Hartnell College is a community college partner in the College Corps Fellowship expansion, recruiting 50 students annually and collaborating on transfer pathways to CSUMB. Functions as a feeder institution and ecosystem partner rather than direct competitor.
• Monterey Peninsula College: Monterey Peninsula College is a community college partner in the College Corps Fellowship expansion (50 students annually) and a traditional transfer pathway to CSUMB. Acts as a regional pipeline partner rather than a competing institution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSUMB
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgds89PGe1OLf_n10bCyLrQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSUMB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csu-monterey-bay
• Instagraminstagram.com/csumb

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California State University, Monterey Bay