C+
Above Average
Score: 61/100
California State University-San Marcos
4-Year
Public
📍 San Marcos, California 92096
Quick Stats
15,431
Total Enrollment
54%
Graduation Rate
75%
Retention Rate
21.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
96%
Acceptance Rate
$10,500
Avg Net Price
For parents & investors
The California State University-San Marcos Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 92026 (2.9% cap, Escondido)
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🏆 Where California State University-San Marcos Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $9,944 | |
| Board | $4,996 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $26,623 | $38,503 |
Financial Aid
79%
Receive Any Aid
47%
Receive Pell Grants
30%
Take Out Loans
$10,500
Avg Net Price
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,812 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,246 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,980 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,773 |
| $110,001+ | $19,772 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Business Administration and Management, General
587 grads/yr
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
325 grads/yr
Psychology, General
318 grads/yr
Sociology, General
254 grads/yr
Computer Science
216 grads/yr
Criminology
188 grads/yr
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General
173 grads/yr
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
167 grads/yr
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
158 grads/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
146 grads/yr
Human Development and Family Studies, General
99 grads/yr
Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
98 grads/yr
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
91 grads/yr
Visual and Performing Arts, General
80 grads/yr
History, General
78 grads/yr
Political Science and Government, General
68 grads/yr
Public Health, General
66 grads/yr
English Language and Literature, General
64 grads/yr
Social Sciences, General
63 grads/yr
Social Work
63 grads/yr
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California State University-San Marcos's top programs commonly pursue.
Chief executives
$206k/yr
309,400 jobs
Compensation and benefits managers
$140k/yr
20,900 jobs
Human resources managers
$140k/yr
221,900 jobs
Sales managers
$138k/yr
619,500 jobs
Managers, all other
$137k/yr
1,333,700 jobs
Training and development managers
$127k/yr
46,400 jobs
Industrial production managers
$121k/yr
241,900 jobs
Administrative services managers
$108k/yr
271,200 jobs
Student Demographics
15,431
Total Students
59%
Women
81%
Traditional Age (18-24)
12%
Off-Campus Renters
👥 Race & Ethnicity
White
26%
Hispanic
50%
Black
4%
Asian
10%
Two or More
6%
Non-Resident
1%
🏠 Living Arrangements
On Campus
42%
Off-Campus (Renters)
12%
With Family
46%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~1,898 students need off-campus housing
💻 Learning Mode
In-Person
57%
Hybrid (Some Online)
37%
Fully Online
6%
📊 Age Distribution
18-24 (Traditional)
81%
25-64 (Adult)
18%
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 96%.
This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend California State University-San Marcos?
Tuition at California State University-San Marcos is
$5,742 for in-state students
and $17,622 for out-of-state students
.
However, the average net price after financial aid is $10,500.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos?
The graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos is 54%.
This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is California State University-San Marcos a good school?
California State University-San Marcos has a Repit College Score of 61/100 (Grade: C+).
Our rating evaluates five key factors:
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (D): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos has a total enrollment of 15,431 students.
Most students (81%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near California State University-San Marcos?
Yes! Approximately 12% of students at California State University-San Marcos live off-campus (not with family).
That's roughly 1,898 students who need rental housing near campus.
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for California State University-San Marcos — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to California State University-San Marcos
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology