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California State University-San Marcos

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Suburb · 14,877 students
WebsiteForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$10,229
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
54%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$62,908
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
95%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Located in the scenic foothills of northern San Diego County, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is a modern public institution renowned for its premier School of Nursing and standout programs in business administration, biotechnology, and kinesiology. The university features an inclusive, community-engaged campus culture marked by a diverse student body, an active designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and robust support for first-generation learners. CSUSM uniquely distinguishes itself through its strong emphasis on undergraduate research, regional workforce pipelines, and national recognition as one of the country's top military-friendly universities.

Wikipedia:California State University San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, California, United States. It was founded in 1989 as the 21st campus in the California State University (CSU) system.

Location
San Marcos, CA, 92096-0001 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SAN · San Diego
27 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,082$20,682
Housing & food (on campus)$14,152$14,152
Books & supplies$1,061$1,061
Cost of attendance$21,649$42,818
Average net price$10,229Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$20,682
In-state: $8,082
Housing & food (on campus)$14,152
Books & supplies$1,061
Cost of attendance$42,818
In-state: $21,649
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $10,229
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.csusm.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
California State University-San Marcos’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$18,790
Fees$2,496
Housing$12,020
Food$3,368
Books & supplies$1,136
Personal expenses$3,352
Transportation$1,656
Total published by the school$42,818
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$6,230
$30–48k
$7,240
$48–75k
$8,928
$75–110k
$12,525
$110k+
$18,734
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
54%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
28%
Back for yr 2
79%
Transferred
4%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
61% graduated · 25% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 13% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$48,673
10 yrs after entry$62,908
Debt
Median at graduation$17,350
Monthly payment$184
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.3k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
95%
Test policy
Test free
Checked Sep 2026

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Essay prompts

If California State University-San Marcos asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 43%Women 57%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
24 : 1
Pell grant
43%
First-gen
48%
Family income
$31,282
Independent
34%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
16%
Race & ethnicity
White
24%
Hispanic
52%
Black
4%
Asian
9%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$48,673
After 10 yrs
$62,908
Business Administration, Management and Operations471
Psychology, General315
Sociology295
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing278
Criminology234
Communication and Media Studies201
Biology, General188
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness164
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services163
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities155
Computer Science152
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods117
Visual and Performing Arts, General76
English Language and Literature, General74
History73
Political Science and Government63
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$37M
Full-time faculty
46%
Faculty salary
$12,046/mo
Teaching spend
$8,419
per student
Federal loans
28%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$13M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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