California State University-San Marcos vs. Augusta University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University San Marcos is larger than Augusta University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 10,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Augusta University is in Augusta, GA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Augusta University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Marcos 24:1; Augusta University 16:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Marcos or Augusta University? 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 Augusta University ($10,241 vs. $13,976).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Augusta University are 12.4% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,404 vs. $14,152).
• Augusta University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $332 more per year; $8,414.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.6% higher at Augusta University than at California State University San Marcos (about $4,052 more per year; $24,734.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Augusta University than at California State University San Marcos (92% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Augusta University students ($11,123 vs. $9,536).

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

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Marcos or Augusta University? 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 Augusta University and California State University-San Marcos.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Augusta University (1060) is 20 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Augusta University 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: California State University San Marcos 950/1130; Augusta University 970/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Marcos 17/22; Augusta University 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Marcos - Test-free; Augusta University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026; Augusta University Jul 1, 2027.
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Augusta University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at California State University-San Marcos vs. 25.1% at Augusta University.

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

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Marcos and Augusta University? 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).

• Graduates from Augusta University earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,300 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Augusta University graduates have a $2,995 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, Augusta University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($155 vs. $186).
• More Augusta University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.