Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA 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 Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 6,272 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Azusa Pacific University is located in Azusa, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Azusa Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Azusa Pacific University 9:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University 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 Azusa Pacific University ($10,241 vs. $26,143).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 24.4% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($10,704 vs. $14,152).
• Azusa Pacific University is 450.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $36,376 more per year; $44,458.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 115% higher at Azusa Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (about $23,776 more per year; $44,458.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 174.2% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($30,504 vs. $11,123).

Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Azusa Pacific University (1110) is 70 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Azusa Pacific University students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Azusa Pacific University 983/1238; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Azusa Pacific University 25/30; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Azusa Pacific University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Azusa Pacific University Jun 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Azusa Pacific University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Azusa Pacific University (88.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at Azusa Pacific University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Azusa Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Azusa Pacific University and California State University-San Marcos? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Azusa Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from Azusa Pacific University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $4,505 lower median loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates ($17,995 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Azusa Pacific University graduates ($186 vs. $232).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Azusa Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 66%)

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.