Chances of getting into California State University San Marcos
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Extremely Easy | |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
Will you get accepted?
Find out how likely you are to get accepted at California State University-San Marcos based on your GPA, test scores, and even extracurricular activities. Then, get custom recommendations for how to improve your odds - completely for free.
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How hard is it to get into California State University-San Marcos and can I get accepted? The school has a 62% acceptance rate ranking it #49 in California for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 10,699 out of 17,349 applicants were admitted making California State University-San Marcos a moderately competitive school to get into with a strong chance of acceptance if you meet the requirements. Academically, it has extremely easy requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 69 percent. California State University San Marcos typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students. Only 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. California State University San Marcos is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
California State University-San Marcos SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 480 |
| SAT Math 25th | 470 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 950 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 570 |
| SAT Math 75th | 570 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1140 |
| Average SAT Score | 1050 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to California State University San Marcos?
California State University San Marcos typically prefers applicants to be in the top 69 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 950 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 850. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1050 out of 1600. The school ranks #59 in California for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 94 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1140 and Above | Good | >74% |
| 1045 to 1140 | Avg + | 62%-74% |
| 950 to 1045 | Avg - | 49%-62% |
| 855 to 950 | Reach | 36%-49% |
| Less than 855 | Low | <36% |
California State University-San Marcos ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 15 |
| ACT Math 25th | 16 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 17 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 22 |
| ACT Math 75th | 22 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 22 |
| Average ACT Score | 19 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into California State University-San Marcos?
Admission data indicates that California State University-San Marcos regularly accepts students with ACT's of 17 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 69 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 14 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 20 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 22 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #69 in California for highest average ACT composite score. 28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University San Marcos.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 22 and Above | Good | >76% |
| 19 to 22 | Avg + | 62%-76% |
| 17 to 19 | Avg - | 52%-62% |
| 15 to 17 | Reach | 41%-52% |
| Less than 15 | Low | <41% |
Explore California State University San Marcos
California State University-San Marcos GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into California State University San Marcos?
Applicants need about average high school grades to get into California State University-San Marcos. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at California State University San Marcos was 3.18 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #76 in California for highest average GPA. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, there is a good chance you will be accepted as California State University-San Marcos accepts 62% of students who apply.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 7% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 12% | Good |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 20% | Good |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 30% | Avg + |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 29% | Avg - |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | 2% | Reach |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House
Similar Requirements
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 10,966 | 6,383 | 17,349 |
| Accepted | 6,752 | 3,947 | 10,699 |
| Acceptance Rate | 62% | 62% | 62% |
| Enrolled | 1,369 | 876 | 2,245 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 20% | 22% | 21% |
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University San Marcos is $70.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University San Marcos and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Neither required nor recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Neither required nor recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=366711 IPEDS survey data for California State University San Marcos.
FAQs
Does California State University San Marcos prefer SAT or ACT?
94% of students submit their SAT scores to California State University-San Marcos. 28% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into California State University San Marcos?
62% of those who apply are granted admission to California State University-San Marcos. Admission competition is low and the college has extremely easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for California State University San Marcos?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 950 and 1140. 94% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for California State University San Marcos?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 17 and 22. 28% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.