School Guiders California San Marcos California State University-San Marcos
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California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, California — 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, 92096-0001

Annual Tuition $7,739
Enrollment 14,174
Acceptance Rate 95.7%
Median Salary $62,908

California State University-San Marcos is a leading Public institution located in San Marcos, California. Established to provide high-quality education, California State University-San Marcos offers a range of programs and is recognized for its commitment to student success and academic excellence in the United States region.

California State University-San Marcos Quick Facts
Founded 6/25/1990
Location San Marcos, California
Type Public
Total Enrollment 14,174 students
Median Salary $62,908

Rankings and Academic Profile of California State University-San Marcos

Institution Name California State University-San Marcos
Location San Marcos, California
Official Website https://www.csusm.edu/
Address 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001
Institution Type Public
Total Students 14,174

California State University-San Marcos Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Acceptance Rate 95.7% Open Admission
Avg. SAT Score N/A
ACT Midpoint N/A

California State University-San Marcos Tuition Fees and Financial Aid

In-State Tuition $7,739
Out-of-State Tuition $19,619
Pell Grant Rate 43.6%
Median Debt (Completers) $17,350

The Real Cost

Net Price After Aid

California State University-San Marcos Cost by Family Income

What you actually pay after grants and scholarships, broken down by household income. Numbers below reflect the average net price reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Family Income $0 โ€“ $30,000 $6,812/yr
Family Income $30,001 โ€“ $48,000 $7,246/yr
Family Income $48,001 โ€“ $75,000 $9,980/yr
Family Income $75,001 โ€“ $110,000 $13,773/yr
๐Ÿ’ก

Low-income families (earning under $30k) pay an average of $6,812/year โ€” often covered almost entirely by Pell Grants and institutional aid.

Calculate Your Personal Aid

Opens the official Federal Student Aid Estimator

Major Spotlight

Top 3 by Early Salary

Based on median earnings 2 years after graduation from California State University-San Marcos, sourced from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

1

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Salary after California State University-San Marcos

Master's Degree
๐Ÿ”ฅ High Earning
2yr Salary $103,555 median/yr
Median Debt N/A
Salary/Debt N/A
๐Ÿ“ˆ 1yr: $119,753 ๐Ÿ“ˆ 4yr: $114,276
2

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Salary after California State University-San Marcos

Bachelor's Degree
๐Ÿ”ฅ High Earning
2yr Salary $88,074 median/yr
Median Debt $25,047 at graduation
Salary/Debt 352% ROI ratio
๐Ÿ“ˆ 1yr: $103,799 ๐Ÿ“ˆ 4yr: $94,706
3

Business Administration, Management and Operations. Salary after California State University-San Marcos

Master's Degree
โญ Good Earning
2yr Salary $74,576 median/yr
Median Debt N/A
Salary/Debt N/A
๐Ÿ“ˆ 1yr: $84,450 ๐Ÿ“ˆ 4yr: $88,868

Salary data from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Results reflect median earnings 2 years post-graduation.

Programs Offered at California State University-San Marcos

10 programs
Program Name
Degree
Graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Bachelor's
Graduates 1,223
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Bachelor's
Graduates 639
Psychology, General.
Bachelor's
Graduates 634
Criminology.
Bachelor's
Graduates 544
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Bachelor's
Graduates 529
Sociology.
Bachelor's
Graduates 522
Communication and Media Studies.
Bachelor's
Graduates 509
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Bachelor's
Graduates 380
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Bachelor's
Graduates 359
Biology, General.
Bachelor's
Graduates 358
Showing top 10 of 57 programs by graduates

Graduate Outcomes and ROI for California State University-San Marcos

Average Salary $62,908
Graduation Rate (4yr) 54.2%
Is California State University-San Marcos Worth It? โ€” ROI Analysis 2026
Average Net Price $10,550
Median Career Earnings $62,908

Campus Location and Facilities in San Marcos

Total Students 14,174
Undergrad 12,989
Graduate 1,185
Retention Rate 74.8% full-time

Gender Breakdown

58.4%
41.7%
Women Men

Enrollment Type

Full-time 83.4%
Part-time
Full-time Part-time

Diversity & Ethnicity

Hispanic
51.3%
White
24.9%
Asian
9.6%
Two or More Races
6%
Black
3.8%
Unknown / Unreported
2.9%
International
0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.3%

Campus Demographics

๐ŸŽ‚
Avg. Age at Entry 23
๐ŸŽ“
First-Generation 48.3%
๐Ÿ’ฐ
Receive Pell Grant 70%
๐ŸŽ–๏ธ
Veterans 0.6%
๐Ÿ’
Married Students 9.6%
๐Ÿ“…
Students Age 25+ 17.8%
๐Ÿ”„
Retention (Part-time) 48.9%

Student Economic Background

Median Household Income $72,827
Average Family Income $47,275
Median Family Income $31,282

Faculty Profile

Faculty Gender

40.4%
59.6%
Women Men
Student-Faculty Ratio 21:1 students per faculty member

Frequently Asked Questions about California State University-San Marcos

What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos?

California State University-San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 95.7%, making it an accessible institution with moderate admissions standards.

How much is tuition at California State University-San Marcos?

Tuition at California State University-San Marcos is $7,739 per year. Net price and financial aid options may reduce this cost significantly depending on individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for graduates of California State University-San Marcos?

Graduates of California State University-San Marcos earn a median salary of $62,908 per year, based on 2026 U.S. Department of Education earnings data.

Where is California State University-San Marcos located?

California State University-San Marcos is located at 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, California 92096-0001. The campus is situated in the United States region of the United States.