Cost advantage
Affordable public option
In-state tuition in the lower range for public universities.
This school$7.7k
Public 4-yr avg$11k
Source: CollegeScorecard 2024
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Universitypublicverified
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
Cost & Financial Aid
In-State Tuition
$7,739
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,619
Avg On-Campus Living
$14,152
Avg Off-Campus Living
$20,254
Financial Aid & Outcomes
CollegeScorecard · 2024
What will it actually cost?
Sticker price$21,891
Net price (after aid)$10,550
Most students pay the net price after financial aid, not the sticker price.
Net price by family income
$0 – $30k$6,812
$30k – $48k$7,246
$48k – $75k$9,980
$75k – $110k$13,773
$110k+$19,772
After graduation
Median earnings (10yr)$62,908
Median debt at graduation$17,350
Est. monthly loan payment$184
Earnings-to-debt ratio
Strong · 3.6×Graduates earn about 3.6× their median debt every year.
Financial access
Students on Pell Grants44%
Pell Grants are federal aid for students from low-income families.
Students with federal loans30%
Share of students who borrowed to pay for school.
Some fields may not be reported by this institution. Verify final details with the school directly.
Student Outcomes
Graduation Rate
54%
Freshman Retention
75%
Source: CollegeScorecard (2024)
Final aid offers, scholarships, and net price vary per family. Always verify with the school's financial aid office.
Scholarships available
Decision support · Cost & value
Quick Decision Highlights
The strongest cost, aid, and value reasons to consider this school.
Lower net price
$10.6k below avg
Out-of-state value
$19.6k below avg
Strong aid for lower incomes
Reported net price for the $0–30k band runs below average.
Affordability snapshot
In-state tuition
$7.7k
below avg
Out-of-state
$19.6k
below avg
Net price
$10.6k
below avg
Pell
44%
above avg
Median debt
$17.4k
below avg
Earnings (10y)
$62.9k
above avg
Academics
Program format
On-CampusOnlineHybrid
Areas of study
Natural SciencesSocial SciencesCommunicationsComputer ScienceEducationEngineeringArts & HumanitiesHealth SciencesLaw & Criminal JusticeVisual & Performing ArtsBusiness
Programs (27)
Natural Sciences
ChemistryEnvironmental Science
Social Sciences
SociologyEconomicsPsychology
Communications
Public RelationsJournalism
Computer Science
Software EngineeringArtificial Intelligence
Education
Special EducationSecondary EducationElementary Education
Admissions
Acceptance rate
96%
SAT range
786 - 999
ACT range
14 - 24
Campus & Student Life
Safety & Crime Context
Actions
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UniversitiesCommunity Colleges1 school
Institution does not report this
San Marcos, CA 92096
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Frequently asked questions
About California State University-San Marcos
Built from CampusPin profile data. Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with the institution before applying. See our data methodology and data dictionary.
- Where is California State University-San Marcos located?
- California State University-San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA, in the United States.
- What type of institution is California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos is a public university based in CA. CampusPin classifies institutions as either four-year universities or two-year community colleges, with control labeled public or private.
- What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos?
- The most recently reported acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos is approximately 96%. Acceptance rate signals selectivity but does not predict any individual applicant's outcome and is not a measure of school quality. CampusPin reports the federally-published value; verify the current cycle with the institution.
- What is the tuition at California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos's published in-state tuition is approximately $7,739 per year. This is the published price before financial aid; the net price most students actually pay is typically lower. Verify the current academic-year tuition with the institution before applying.
- How many students attend California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos reports total enrollment of approximately 15,359 students (undergraduate plus graduate). Total enrollment is a useful sizing signal — see the institutional profile for additional breakdowns when available.
- How should I verify final details about California State University-San Marcos?
- CampusPin compiles institutional data from public datasets like IPEDS and the College Scorecard, plus institutional websites and editorial review. Before applying, paying a deposit, or making a final decision, confirm admissions requirements, current tuition, financial aid, deadlines, and program details directly with California State University-San Marcos.
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Always verify final admissions, cost, financial aid, and program details with California State University-San Marcos before applying.