UT Permian Basin vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, TX 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 UT Permian Basin based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 5,585 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Odessa, TX (Small City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• The University of Texas Permian Basin 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: The University of Texas Permian Basin 19:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

UT Permian Basin vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT Permian Basin 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 UT Permian Basin ($10,241 vs. $13,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Permian Basin are 0.4% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($14,098 vs. $14,152).
• The University of Texas Permian Basin is 14.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $1,154 more per year; $9,236.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at UT Permian Basin than at California State University San Marcos (about $822 more per year; $21,504.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas Permian Basin than at California State University San Marcos (97% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 20% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Permian Basin students ($11,123 vs. $9,269).

UT Permian Basin vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT Permian Basin 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 UT Permian Basin.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 20 points higher than at UT Permian Basin (1020).
• Incoming UT Permian Basin students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas Permian Basin 910/1130; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas Permian Basin 17/23; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT Permian Basin - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT Permian Basin Aug 23, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at UT Permian Basin (3.27).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than UT Permian Basin (94.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44% at UT Permian Basin vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

UT Permian Basin vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT Permian Basin 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 The University of Texas Permian Basin's (34%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas Permian Basin earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,000 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Permian Basin graduates have a $4,340 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($13,655 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, UT Permian Basin graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($141 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Permian Basin 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.