California State University-San Marcos
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at California State University-San Marcos, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 28% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 57th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at California State University-San Marcos
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $103,799 | $120,196 | +35% | #21 of 966 | #47 | $24,246 |
| Computer Science | $60,645 | $97,827 | -9% | #184 of 349 | #255 | $12,500 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | $61,054 | $93,047 | +18% | #5 of 24 | #6 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,366 | $86,318 | +13% | #158 of 796 | #312 | $20,452 |
| Economics | $40,155 | $83,339 | +1% | #151 of 368 | #211 | $18,620 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $49,734 | $80,303 | +20% | #3 of 35 | #5 | $19,462 |
| International Business | $55,455 | $77,965 | +7% | #39 of 115 | #70 | $15,965 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $54,408 | $77,312 | -7% | #231 of 452 | #354 | $16,337 |
| Biotechnology | $49,615 | $76,622 | +14% | #7 of 13 | #7 | $16,500 |
| Marketing | $43,134 | $73,290 | +6% | #141 of 516 | #281 | $18,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $55,102 | $72,448 | -13% | #129 of 166 | #149 | $15,000 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $22,567 | $71,068 | +21% | #14 of 215 | #52 | $15,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $49,543 | $70,900 | +4% | #347 of 1176 | #661 | $19,500 |
| Biology | $38,527 | $70,789 | +24% | #94 of 841 | #205 | $23,750 |
| Business/Commerce | $46,958 | $68,984 | +1% | #81 of 271 | #189 | $20,951 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $57,682 | $65,479 | +0% | #54 of 110 | #82 | $20,983 |
| Social Sciences | $37,446 | $63,622 | +19% | #11 of 87 | #20 | $15,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,203 | $61,252 | +12% | #100 of 610 | #265 | $17,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $36,310 | $59,842 | +6% | #173 of 660 | #327 | $14,545 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,341 | $58,289 | +10% | #121 of 476 | #243 | $16,226 |
| Physics | $56,018 | — | — | — | — | $19,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $37,364 | $55,903 | +2% | #117 of 265 | #183 | $13,273 |
| Criminology | $34,694 | $55,418 | +-0% | #60 of 113 | #91 | $14,810 |
| Psychology | $31,355 | $55,196 | +9% | #241 of 1027 | #527 | $17,750 |
| English Language and Literature | $29,638 | $54,985 | +13% | #138 of 576 | #248 | $15,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $31,184 | $53,568 | +10% | #34 of 172 | #86 | $17,362 |
| Sociology | $34,541 | $53,287 | +1% | #210 of 462 | #324 | $15,000 |
| History | $22,407 | $52,985 | +5% | #177 of 459 | #301 | $16,847 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $29,055 | $51,445 | +9% | #193 of 680 | #505 | $15,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $35,297 | $50,857 | -20% | #504 of 565 | #548 | $17,666 |
| Anthropology | — | $49,848 | +7% | #66 of 188 | #110 | $16,250 |
| Chemistry | $49,382 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $27,741 | $48,043 | +15% | #12 of 68 | #26 | $18,625 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $40,875 | — | — | — | — | $23,000 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $36,889 | — | — | — | — | $15,154 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $29,329 | — | — | — | — | $9,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
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
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.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California State University-San Marcos's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos?
How much does it cost to attend California State University-San Marcos?
What is the graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos?
Is California State University-San Marcos a good school?
- 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?
Is there rental demand near California State University-San Marcos?
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: October 2026 | Methodology