Your chances of getting into California State University San Marcos
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos is 95.7%. Its admission rate is the 99th lowest in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into California State University-San Marcos and can you get accepted?
California State University San Marcos is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 16,765 out of the 17,519 who applied were admitted.
California State University San Marcos typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.32. 16% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into California State University-San Marcos?
96% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to California State University San Marcos you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.32 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 1040 on the SAT
- Score 19 on the ACT
California State University-San Marcos GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into California State University San Marcos?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into California State University-San Marcos are to have around a 3.32 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.32 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as California State University-San Marcos accepts 96% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at California State University-San Marcos is 3.32 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #69 in California for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since California State University-San Marcos is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
California State University-San Marcos SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California State University San Marcos. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 480 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 470 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 950 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 570 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 560 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1130 |
| Average SAT Score | 1040
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California State University San Marcos?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at California State University-San Marcos is 1040 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 950-1130. Students who get into California State University San Marcos score in the top 69 percent of all SAT test takers.. California State University-San Marcos ranks #58 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1040 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. California State University-San Marcos regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 950 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 950, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 860, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
California State University San Marcos is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1040, you have around a 96% chance of being admitted. A 1130 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 98% chance of getting in.
California State University-San Marcos ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 15 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 16 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 17 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 22 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 22 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 22 |
| Average ACT Score | 19
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into California State University-San Marcos?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to California State University-San Marcos is 19, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 22. The school ranks #61 in California for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 19. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.
28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University San Marcos.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California State University San Marcos is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into California State University-San Marcos for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 19 score has around 96% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 98% with a 22 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 10,614 | 6,905 | 17,519 |
| Accepted | 10,184 | 6,581 | 16,765 |
| Acceptance Rate | 96% | 95% | 96% |
| Enrolled | 1,536 | 1,089 | 2,625 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 15% | 17% | 16% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University San Marcos is $70.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University San Marcos and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
| Recommendations | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because California State University San Marcos is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.32 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1040 and ACT of 19 will almost guarantee your admission.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California State University San Marcos often consider these 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.
Last updated February 24, 2025