California State University-San Marcos
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 14,877 students.
About This School
California State University-San Marcos is a public institution located in San Marcos, California with approximately 14,877 undergraduate students enrolled. California State University-San Marcos has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 95%. The average net price after financial aid is $10,229 per year. The graduation rate is 55%, and the typical graduate earns $51,100 within 10 years of enrollment.
California State University San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, California, United States. It was founded in 1989 as the 21st campus in the California State University (CSU) system.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $10,550/year net price and only $13,500 in median debt at graduation, this is one of the more affordable paths to a CSU degree — and for cost-conscious students in the San Diego region, that's genuinely worth something. The concern is a 54% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students who start here don't finish within six years, which is worth asking hard questions about before enrolling. Worth considering if you're looking for an affordable regional university and have a clear plan to stay on track, but look closely at support resources and your intended major before committing.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 7% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (14,877 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
California State University-San Marcos
333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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