Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
California State University, San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) is a public university located in San Marcos, California. Established in 1989, CSUSM is a member of the California State University system and is known for its commitment to providing an excellent education and a supportive learning environment. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with a focus on the liberal arts, sciences, business, and education.
CSUSM is renowned for its strong emphasis on experiential learning and community engagement. The university offers numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge in real-world settings through internships, service learning, and research projects. The university's location in North San Diego County also provides a wealth of resources for students, with nearby technology and biotech industries offering additional learning and employment opportunities.
The campus at CSUSM is a lively and vibrant community, known for its inclusive and diverse student body. The university strives to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, where they can thrive academically and personally. CSUSM also offers a multitude of resources and services to support student success, including academic advising, career counseling, tutoring, and wellness programs. With its beautiful campus, engaged faculty, and commitment to student success, CSUSM provides a rich and rewarding educational experience for its students.
Located in San Marcos, CA and set in a suburban environment, California State University, San Marcos is a public university. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 93%. The freshman retention rate at California State University, San Marcos is 74.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 54%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 31. For transfer students, the application deadline is December 15.
Discover more about what you can expect if you get into California State University, San Marcos.
Quick Facts
13,921
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
93%
Acceptance Rate
24:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
54%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. How difficult is it to get admitted to California State University, San Marcos and what are the admission requirements?
In 2024, the school accepted 16,765 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
4% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 0.01% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 16% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between between 1,200 and 1,399, 39% between 1,000 and 1,199, 34% between 800 and 999, and 11% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 4, 39 between 24-29, 27 in the range between 18-23, and 30 between 12-17.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.4. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into California State University, San Marcos.
Deadlines
The application deadline for this school is January 31. For transfer students, the application deadline is December 15.
93%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university freshmen who return for their sophomore year. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for California State University, San Marcos was 74.8% in 2024, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 54%.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 15,430 students.
That year, the institution had an out-of-state student body percentage of 2. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 13,921, 116 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,951.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,080 male and 7,685 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 128 full-time graduate male and 245 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,253, and the number of Afro-American students was 540. 7,187 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 833 as multirace. The school also had 44 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 45 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 399 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important data on California State University, San Marcos costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
If you were wondering how much the tuition cost for California State University, San Marcos is, here are some recent data that will come in handy.
Tuition fees for area resident were $6,084, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $18,684 for students coming from out of state. Tuition costs at California State University, San Marcos for international students added up to $18,684. Full-time students in 2024 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,002.
| Tuition | Fees | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $18,684 | $2,002 | $20,686 |
| In-State | $6,084 | $2,002 | $8,086 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. Most students have to pay about $1,060 for books and supplies during their time at California State University, San Marcos.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at California State University, San Marcos was $15,388 in 2024. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $10,392, according to the data from 2024.
| Tuition | $ 6,084 |
| Room and Board | $ 15,388 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,060 |
| Total Expense | $ 22,532 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at California State University, San Marcos.
The most recent records show that 1,521 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $11,932.97.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
6,853 students received some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at California State University, San Marcos is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 7,355. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $31,448,212, and state $38,144,193. The students of California State University, San Marcos received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $18,500,366, and external in the amount of $1,243,404.
$1,552
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 133 students overall (including freshmen) at California State University, San Marcos in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 27 full-time freshmen. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $31,448,212 while the state aid is $4,141. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $128,646. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $172,430 USD.
Majors
Faculty
24:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at California State University, San Marcos was 24:1: that means 24 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 868 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 344 men and 524 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at California State University, San Marcos.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at California State University, San Marcos is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some information about students' life at California State University, San Marcos.
It has a campus size of 304 acres.
Student Organizations
Participating in multiple student organizations can add depth and fulfillment to your educational journey.
Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. If the world of acting appeals to you, there is a drama club you can join. You have a talent for media and communication? California State University, San Marcos publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
California State University, San Marcos offers a number of services important for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of California State University, San Marcos.
All in all, campus life at California State University, San Marcos is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at California State University, San Marcos.
Career Counselling
At California State University, San Marcos, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
California State University, San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA.
-
California State University, San Marcos offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for California State University, San Marcos is 93%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for California State University, San Marcos is 74.8%.
Contact Information
California State University, San Marcos,
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA
92096-0001
760 750-7273
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.