Life Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Life Pacific University in San Dimas, 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 Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 621 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life Pacific University is located in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Life 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: Life Pacific University 12:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 13.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,190 vs. $14,152).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (about $1,436 more per year; $22,118 vs. $20,682).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($13,696 vs. $11,123).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University-San Marcos (20 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Life Pacific University and California State University-San Marcos.
• Typical fall application deadline: Life Pacific University May 1, 2027; 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, 0.41 higher than at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Life Pacific 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 $2,535 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($17,995 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($186 vs. $212).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 54%).

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