Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Should I go to Arizona Christian University or California State University San Marcos? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arizona Christian University or California State University-San Marcos is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arizona Christian University vs. California State University San Marcos comparison
Arizona Christian University California State University San Marcos College 3 College 4
California State University San Marcos
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Overview

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
Location Phoenix, AZ San Marcos, CA
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,082 15,109
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #960 #836
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website arizonachristian.edu csusm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
Tuition (In State) $29,850 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $29,850 $17,622
Room & Board $12,000 $13,972
Avg Net Price $28,755 $10,463
Avg Grant Aid $19,174 $8,922
% Receiving Grant Aid 97% 67%

Admission

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,316 14,774
Admitted 923 14,064
Acceptance Rate 70.1% 95.2%
Enrolled % 33.2% 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.16 3.32
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 16/23 17/22
SAT Range 960/1170 950/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023

Academics

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (43%)
  • Business (21%)
  • Psychology (18%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (2%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (18%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
Graduation Rate 31% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $33,500 $49,100
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $17,995
Median Loan Payment $232 $186

Diversity

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
% Men 60% 39%
% Women 40% 61%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 30%
% Black 12% 3%
% Hispanic 17% 42%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 6%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 5%

Students

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
% In-State 47% 98%
% Out-of-State 49% 1%

Campus

Arizona Christian University California State University-San Marcos
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University San Marcos is larger than than Arizona Christian University based on total student enrollment (15,109 students vs. 1,082 students)

Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arizona Christian University or California State University-San Marcos?

  • Arizona Christian University is 419.9% more expensive to attend than California State University-San Marcos for in-state tuition ($29,850.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 69.4% higher at Arizona Christian University than California State University San Marcos ($29,850.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Marcos than Arizona Christian University ($10,463 vs. $28,755)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arizona Christian University are 16.4% lower than costs at California State University San Marcos ($12,000 vs. $13,972)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Arizona Christian University than California State University San Marcos (97% vs. 67%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arizona Christian University students is 114.9% larger than aid received California State University San Marcos ($19,174 vs. $8,922)

Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arizona Christian University or California State University-San Marcos? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between California State University-San Marcos or Arizona Christian University .

  • The average SAT score at Arizona Christian University (997) is 42 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (955)
  • Incoming Arizona Christian University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at California State University-San Marcos (21)
  • Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Arizona Christian University (3.16)
  • California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Arizona Christian University (70.1%)

Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arizona Christian University or California State University-San Marcos? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between California State University-San Marcos and Arizona Christian University.

  • The graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos is higher than Arizona Christian University (49% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn on average $15,600 more per year than Arizona Christian University graduates after ten years. ($49,100 vs. $33,500)
  • California State University San Marcos students graduate with a $4,505 lower median federal student loan debt than Arizona Christian University graduates. ($17,995 vs. $22,500)
  • California State University-San Marcos graduates are paying $46 less per month on federal student loans than Arizona Christian University graduates. ($186 vs. $232)
  • More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arizona Christian University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/