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Colleges in and near Seaside

Seaside is home to California State University-Monterey Bay

California State University-Monterey Bay (6,204 students on campus) is inside the city, and Monterey Peninsula College (5,588) is 4.4 miles from the center, just over the line in Monterey. About 13% of Seaside’s residents are enrolled in college, above California (8%).

California State University-Monterey BayNaval Postgraduate SchoolMonterey Peninsula College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Seaside. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
6
21,073 students on campus
Nearest college
2.3 mi
California State University-Monterey Bay
Residents in college
13%
Above CA (8%)
Nearest community college
4.4 mi
Monterey Peninsula College · $1,188 tuition
Nearest public university
2.3 mi
California State University-Monterey Bay · $7,779 in-state
Median household income
$85K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Seaside

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 4.4 milesCalifornia State University-Monterey Bay admits 97% of applicants. Together they have 13,270 students on campus.In-state price at California State University-Monterey BayLiving in California, California State University-Monterey Bay charges $7,779 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $20,379. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 4.4 miles awayMonterey Peninsula College in Monterey: tuition and fees $1,188 a year for California residents.Students are 13% of residentsAbove California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Seaside

Two private colleges within 10.8 miles, two public colleges within 3.6 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miHartnell CollegeCalifornia State University-Monterey BayMonterey Peninsula CollegeSeaside
University or collegeCommunity college
California State University-Monterey BayUniversity or college · Public · 6,204 on campus · In Seaside97%admitted$14knet price59%graduate$59kearningsNaval Postgraduate SchoolUniversity or college · Public · 1,478 on campus · 3.6 mi · MontereyGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.Monterey Peninsula CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,588 on campus · 4.4 mi · Monterey$11knet price40%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,188 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Middlebury Institute of International Studies at MontereyUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 334 on campus · 4.7 mi · Monterey$76kearningsEarnings are reported for all 2 campuses that file with it.Hartnell CollegeCommunity college · Public · 6,904 on campus · 9.1 mi · Salinas$2knet price40%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,404 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Central Coast CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 565 on campus · 10.8 mi · Salinas$27knet price67%graduate$41kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Seaside’s median household income ($85,311) falls.

Hartnell College9.1 mi · Salinas · sticker $11,892 · tuition $1,404$6,856a year
Monterey Peninsula College4.4 mi · Monterey · sticker $19,605 · tuition $1,188$15,700a year
California State University-Monterey BayIn Seaside · sticker $26,987$16,281a year
Central Coast College10.8 mi · Salinas · sticker $30,966$29,329a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Seaside: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →California State University-Monterey BayMonterey Peninsula CollegeHartnell CollegeCentral Coast College
Hartnell College40% graduate$44k earnings
California State University-Monterey Bay59% graduate$59k earnings$13k typical debt
Monterey Peninsula College40% graduate$42k earnings
Central Coast College67% graduate$41k earnings$7k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Seaside

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at California State University-Monterey Bay, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 15%Psychology 13%Liberal arts 13%Computer science 12%Interdisciplinary 7%Parks & recreation 6%Everything else 34%

Biggest programs

Psychology, General293 graduates a year
$54k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities250 graduates a year
$59k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations241 graduates a year
$73k4 yrs out
Computer Science207 graduates a year
$102k4 yrs out
Biology, General133 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness132 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Social Sciences, General109 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out
Human Services, General90 graduates a year
$57k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Seaside

Is Seaside a college town?

No. About 13 of every 100 Seaside residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above California (8). The largest campus in the city, California State University-Monterey Bay, has 6,204 students on campus.

What colleges are in Seaside?

California State University-Monterey Bay is inside the city. Monterey Peninsula College is 4.4 miles from the center, in Monterey, and Naval Postgraduate School is 3.6 miles from the center, in Monterey.

What is the closest community college to Seaside, and what does it cost?

Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, 4.4 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,188 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $11,373, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does California State University-Monterey Bay cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $7,779 a year in-state and $20,379 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,970 (under $30,000 income) to $22,818 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Seaside. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →