Oceanfront views are plentiful at California State University, Monterey Bay, located a mile from the beach and just two hours south of San Francisco. Like much of the Cal State system, CSU Monterey Bay scores high marks for being both accessible and affordable: The acceptance rate tops 95%, significantly higher than most schools, and more than half of the attendees are first-generation college students.
About 70% of undergraduate students receive scholarships or grants, and a Monterey Bay degree sets them up for success, with the university ranking in the top 25% for socioeconomic mobility of the schools Money analyzed.
The university boasts interesting architecture, as it was built at the location of an old Army base — some of the military buildings have been repurposed into art gallery spaces. There are more than 7,000 undergraduates who can choose from more than 80 majors, minors and concentrations, including agricultural plant and soil sciences, artificial intelligence, nonprofit management and (no surprise here) marine science.
The Monterey Bay Otters participate in NCAA Division II athletics, with 14 teams competing year round. Greek life is also a part of campus life at CSUMB, with six fraternities and nine sororities, or students can join one of the more than 100 clubs, from game development to surfing. The school's World Theater also hosts student-run theater productions and concerts in its 400-seat facility.
