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CS
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CAPublicSuburb Setting
Open Admission • 95% Acceptance
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Overview & Identity
California State University-San Marcos is a public institution located in the suburb setting of San Marcos, CA. The university supports an undergraduate student body of 14.9K students and has an admission acceptance rate of 95%.
Quick Facts
Institution Type
Public
Student Population
14.9K (Large)
Admissions Selectivity
95% (Open Admission)
Predominant Degree
Bachelor's
Locale / Setting
Suburb
Admissions & Academics
Admitted Student Scores
SAT ReadingNot Reported
SAT MathNot Reported
ACT CompositeNot Reported
95%
Acceptance Rate
Open Admission
Top Majors & Programs
Social Sciences20% of degrees
Business & Marketing16% of degrees
Health Sciences11% of degrees
Biological Sciences6% of degrees
Engineering2% of degrees
Programs / Fields of Study
Program
Credential
Earnings 4yr
Earnings 5yr
Debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $148,800
Earnings 5yr: $134,848
Debt: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $120,196
Earnings 5yr: $105,792
Debt: $25,047
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $105,743
Earnings 5yr: $110,496
Debt: N/A
Computer Science.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $97,827
Earnings 5yr: $110,266
Debt: $12,850
Education, General.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $95,348
Earnings 5yr: $82,880
Debt: N/A
Computer Systems Analysis.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $93,047
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Biotechnology.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $92,859
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $88,196
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Accounting and Related Services.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $86,318
Earnings 5yr: $81,423
Debt: $22,500
Economics.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $83,339
Earnings 5yr: $77,155
Debt: $17,500
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $80,303
Earnings 5yr: $72,329
Debt: $19,375
International Business.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $77,965
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: $15,965
Social Work.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $77,471
Earnings 5yr: $72,619
Debt: N/A
Finance and Financial Management Services.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $77,312
Earnings 5yr: $87,253
Debt: $15,125
Biotechnology.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $76,622
Earnings 5yr: $75,425
Debt: $18,500
Marketing.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $73,290
Earnings 5yr: $75,915
Debt: $19,032
Management Information Systems and Services.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $72,448
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: $16,170
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $71,068
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: $15,998
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $70,900
Earnings 5yr: $74,005
Debt: $19,015
Biology, General.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $70,789
Earnings 5yr: $76,916
Debt: $24,174
Tuition & Cost Portrait
Avg Net Price$10,229
In-State Tuition$8,082
Out-of-State Tuition$20,682
Net Price DifferentiatorAverage Net Price is what typical families actually pay out of pocket after receiving federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. It provides a more accurate metric of affordability than the sticker tuition.
Financial Assistance & Support
43%
Pell Grants
28%
Take Loans
67%
Repayment
Student Outcomes & ROI
Earnings Milestones Post-Graduation
6 Years Post-Entry
$48,673
+29% growth
10 Years Post-Entry
$62,908
Completion Signals
55%
Graduation Rate
4-Year Completion
79%
Retention Rate
1st-to-2nd Year Return
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,500
Est. Monthly Payment
$146/mo
Based on standard 10yr path
Campus & Demographics
Student Demographics & Community
Diversity Mix
Hover or tap a bubble above to explore detailed community insights.
Gender Balance
43%
Men57%
WomenThe campus gender distribution displays a split of 43% men and 57% women.
Student Vitals
First-Gen Share
48%
Part-Time Share
16%
Avg Family Income
$47,276
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