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California State University-San Marcos

Public
San Marcos, CA
Suburb
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. California State University-San Marcos

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$11k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$56k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
California State University-San Marcos is a public university located in San Marcos, California, founded in 1989. Known for its strong emphasis on community engagement and service learning, the university is recognized for its commitment to student success and diversity. One unique feature is that the campus is situated on 304 acres of picturesque hills overlooking the city of San Marcos and beyond.

Pros

  • Diverse student body

  • Strong focus on undergraduate education

  • Beautiful campus

  • Proximity to San Diego

Cons

  • Limited public transportation options

  • Higher cost of living in the area

  • Large class sizes in some programs

  • Fewer research opportunities compared to larger universities

Tuition and Costs

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at California State University-San Marcos: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at California State University-San Marcos. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$7,739$30,956
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$14,152$56,608
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at California State University-San Marcos
 
$1,018$4,072
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at California State University-San Marcos) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$3,714$25,160
Sticker Price$26,623$116,796

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $318 per year over the next three years, reaching $9,221 in 2024, and $9,539 in 2025, and $9,857 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

California State University-San Marcos admissions is not very selective with an acceptance rate of 95%. Typically, admitted students score between 0-0 on the SAT or - on the ACT. The application deadline can be found the the institutions website.

95%Admission Rate
58%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range -
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Sciences⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
PsychologyN/A$0k
Education⌄
ProgramGraduatesEst. Median Earnings
Education AdministrationN/A$0k
Special EducationN/A$87k
Physical EducationN/A$0k

Student Life

Key information regarding California State University-San Marcos's total enrollment and faculty.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment2,625
Full-time Students2,500
Part-time Students125

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:23:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about California State University-San Marcos. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

No reviews available.

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Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
927
California State University-San Marcos stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.