City Tech vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn, NY 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 City Tech based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 14,486 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY New York City College of Technology is located in Brooklyn, NY (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• CUNY New York City College of Technology 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: CUNY New York City College of Technology 16:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

City Tech vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City Tech 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 CUNY New York City College of Technology than California State University-San Marcos ($5,794 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 36.4% lower than at CUNY New York City College of Technology ($14,152 vs. $22,260).
• California State University San Marcos is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than City Tech (about $750 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $7,332.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.3% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at CUNY New York City College of Technology (about $5,400 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $15,282.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY New York City College of Technology than at California State University San Marcos (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 35.5% larger than aid received by CUNY New York City College of Technology students ($11,123 vs. $8,206).

City Tech vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City Tech 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 City Tech.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 20 points higher than at City Tech (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: CUNY New York City College of Technology 900/1140; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City Tech - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: City Tech Sep 1, 2026; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than City Tech (80.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at City Tech vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

City Tech vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City Tech 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 CUNY New York City College of Technology's (24%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than City Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $43,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY New York City College of Technology graduates have a $7,382 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($10,613 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, City Tech graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($109 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City Tech students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 47%)

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.