Overview
Student Population
| Location | San Marcos, California |
| Online | csusm.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Rural Fringe |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in San Marcos, California, California State University San Marcos is a mid-size four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 13,986 prospective students applied, and 13,049 were granted admission. Of those admitted 2,413 enrolled in the school. 13,033 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 3,222 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2021/2022, excluding room and board, is $5,742 plus fees of $1,985. California State University-San Marcos is ranked 802 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2023 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
California State University-San Marcos is rated within the lower 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Explore California State University San Marcos
Rankings
Rankings for California State University San Marcos within the 2023 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#802 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#311 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#50 in Best Colleges in California
#20 in Best Public Colleges in California
#226 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 950/1130 |
| ACT | 17/22 |
| GPA | 3.32 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,118 |
| Other Fees | $1,985 |
| Room and Board | $13,150 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,658 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,653 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,118 |
| Other Fees | $1,985 |
| Room and Board | $13,150 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,658 |
| Total One Year Cost | $36,533 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Social Sciences | 18% |
| Communication | 12% |
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 9% |
| Work and Family Studies | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering California State University-San Marcos are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=366711 IPEDS survey data for California State University San Marcos.
Current students may use the California State University San Marcos GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.