California State University-Fresno vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fresno is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (24,427 students vs. 16,237 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Fresno is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Fresno 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: California State University Fresno 22:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Fresno are 15.5% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($11,960 vs. $14,152).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at California State University Fresno (about $732 more per year; $20,682 vs. $19,950).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Fresno than at California State University San Marcos (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Fresno students is 10.8% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,326 vs. $11,123).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at California State University-San Marcos than at California State University-Fresno (19 vs. 18, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California State University-Fresno and California State University-San Marcos.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-Fresno Dec 15, 2026; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at California State University-San Marcos average a 3.32 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at California State University-Fresno (3.12).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.5% at California State University-Fresno vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fresno graduates have a $2,995 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, California State University-Fresno graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($155 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-Fresno students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 63%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.