Angelo State vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Angelo State University in San Angelo, TX with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Angelo State based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 11,542 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Angelo State University is located in San Angelo, TX (Small City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Angelo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Angelo State University 19:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Angelo State vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Angelo State or California State University-San Marcos? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Marcos than Angelo State ($10,241 vs. $14,048).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Angelo State University are 14.2% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,140 vs. $14,152).
• Angelo State University is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $378 more per year; $8,460.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Angelo State University (about $2,382 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $18,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Angelo State University than at California State University San Marcos (94% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Angelo State University students ($11,123 vs. $9,062).

Angelo State vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Angelo State or California State University-San Marcos? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-San Marcos and Angelo State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 10 points higher than at Angelo State (1030).
• Incoming Angelo State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Angelo State University 910/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Angelo State University 18/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Angelo State - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Angelo State students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Angelo State (83%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at Angelo State vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Angelo State vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Angelo State and California State University-San Marcos? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Angelo State University's (30%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Angelo State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $3,461 lower median loan debt than Angelo State graduates ($17,995 vs. $21,456).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Angelo State graduates ($186 vs. $221).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Angelo State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.