Marshall University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Marshall University in Huntington, WV 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 Marshall University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 11,958 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marshall University is located in Huntington, WV (Small City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Marshall University 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: Marshall University 16:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Marshall University 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 Marshall University than California State University-San Marcos ($8,076 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marshall University are 6.1% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,292 vs. $14,152).
• Marshall University is 13.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $1,080 more per year; $9,162.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Marshall University (about $340 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $20,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marshall University than at California State University San Marcos (97% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marshall University students is 20.9% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($13,448 vs. $11,123).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Marshall University 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 Marshall University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 10 points higher than at Marshall University (1030).
• Incoming Marshall 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: Marshall University 910/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marshall University 19/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marshall University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marshall University Aug 10, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Marshall University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• Marshall University has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.1% at Marshall University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for Marshall University 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 Marshall University's (44%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Marshall University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $5,139 lower median loan debt than Marshall University graduates ($17,995 vs. $23,134).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marshall University graduates ($186 vs. $239).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marshall University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 43%)

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.