La Sierra University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, 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 San Marcos is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,574 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Sierra 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: La Sierra University 12:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 5.1% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,431 vs. $14,152).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.3% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University San Marcos (about $17,028 more per year; $37,710 vs. $20,682).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University San Marcos (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 148.5% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($27,646 vs. $11,123).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at La Sierra University than at California State University-San Marcos (23 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both La Sierra University and California State University-San Marcos.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at La Sierra University average a 3.54 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $12,005 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($17,995 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($186 vs. $310).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 52%).

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