RIC vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Rhode Island College in Providence, RI 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 RIC based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rhode Island College is located in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rhode Island College 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: Rhode Island College 15:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

RIC vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, RIC 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 California State University San Marcos than RIC ($10,241 vs. $10,346).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 5.2% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,414 vs. $14,152).
• Rhode Island College is 39.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $3,218 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32% higher at RIC than at California State University San Marcos (about $6,617 more per year; $27,299.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at California State University San Marcos (95% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 65.9% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($11,123 vs. $6,706).

RIC vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, RIC 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 RIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 40 points higher than at RIC (1000).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rhode Island College 870/1120; 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: RIC - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: RIC Mar 15, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at RIC (3.08).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than RIC (91.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.1% at RIC vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for RIC 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 Rhode Island College's (44%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $7,100 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $3,205 lower median loan debt than RIC graduates ($17,995 vs. $21,200).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RIC graduates ($186 vs. $219).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RIC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 59%)

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.