California State University Monterey Bay, as well as the entire California State University system, began accepting applications for Fall 2024 admission on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023. 

Students can apply for admission through the Cal State Apply systemwide portal at Calstate.edu/apply. The priority application period runs through Nov. 30, 2023.

CSUMB rose higher in three major categories in the latest U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, earning the No. 2 spot among universities across 15 Western states in social mobility and positioning disadvantaged students for promising futures. 

The magazine also ranked CSUMB as No. 6 on the list of Top Public Schools in the West, and No. 14 among all universities in that region.

“I am so proud to see that CSUMB continues to move up in the rankings year over year,” said CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones. “Our success is due to our dedicated staff and faculty, who work hard to ensure our students have an exceptional experience and gain a strong education that prepares them for careers in our region.”

The Wall Street Journal also ranked CSUMB No. 13 among public schools in California and No. 8 in the CSU system. And Forbes magazine listed the university No. 17 among medium-sized colleges nationally. 

The CSU remains one of the most affordable university systems in the country. Robust financial aid programs allow the majority of CSU students to graduate without student loan debt. More than 60 percent of CSU’s undergraduates have their tuition fully covered by grants and non-loan aid, and approximately 80 percent receive some form of financial aid.

Incoming first-year, transfer, graduate and international students can apply for fall 2024 admission by applying online, paying the $70 application fee (many will qualify to have the fee waived), and determining financial aid need at the CSU financial aid web page.