Overview
San Marcos, CA California State University-San Marcos is a public 4-year college located in San Marcos, California. There are currently 13,844 undergraduates at CSUSM and the school’s acceptance rate is 95%. The tuition at CSUSM is $7,733 for in-state students and $19,613 for out-of-state.
Suburb
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$25,507
$26,613
$10,774
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$25,507for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$37,387for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since CSUSM is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at CSUSM is $25,507 for in-state students in CA, and $37,387 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at CSUSM would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
California State University-San Marcos Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at California State University-San Marcos need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for California State University-San Marcos is 030113.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at CSUSM
If you reside in California and are considering CSUSM, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
CSUSM is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at CSUSM. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at California State University-San Marcos
47% of students at California State University-San Marcos receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California State University-San Marcos.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
CSUSM students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
California State University-San Marcos Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at CSUSM or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
Admissions
95%
Is CSUSM test-optional?
California State University-San Marcos is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at CSUSM?
Students must apply by September 30 to enroll at CSUSM during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
23:1
Graduation Rate
57%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Social Sciences
19%
19% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
15%
15% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
11%
11% of graduates
Psychology
9%
9% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Education
3%
3% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
History
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
13,844
Pell Grant 45%
Undergrad Students Over 25 20%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 20%
Percent Male / Female 40% / 60%
Ethnic Diversity at CSUSM
51% Hispanic
25% White
10% Asian / Pacific Islander
6% Multiracial
4% Black
3% Unknown
1% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$62,908
Median Debt $17,350
Debt 10 years after graduation $184
Graduation Rate 57%
What is the graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos?
57% of students who start at California State University-San Marcos end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 1% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of California State University-San Marcos go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at California State University-San Marcos, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $62,908. This is $12,517 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at CSUSM take out in loans?
Graduates of CSUSM have to take out a median of $17,350 in federal student loans. This is $3,850 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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