California State University-San Marcos
With campus situated on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding community, California State University-San Marcos is a 4-year public institution in southern California and part of the Cal State system. CSUSM is home to colleges of Humanities, Business Administration, Education, and Science granting bachelor’s degrees in 43 academic majors. In addition to classroom space, CSU San Marcos hosts the Kellogg Library, one of the largest such facilities in the state. To help explore the surrounding area, CSUSM Outdoor Adventures sponsors day and weekend trips for activities such as hiking and camping.
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Suburb or town
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | January 31 | |
| Spring Regular Decision | August 31 | |
| Other | June 30 |
Admitted Student Stats
25%
Submitting ACT
94%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 19
Average SAT Composite: 1043
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
15,109
Total Number of Undergrads
13,914
Classroom Sizes
0
100
17%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
57%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
23:1
US National: 21:1Tuition, Cost & Aid
Key Financial Stats
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $7,734 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $19,614 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $14,152 |
| Books and Supplies | $1018 |
Aid & Grants
0
100
44%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
45%
Average Aid Per Year
$8,922
45%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,138
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,295
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
28%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,606
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$12,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$169
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Student Organizations
127
Size of Town
Suburb or town
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Housing
0
100
95%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Cougars
School Colors
blue and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Top 5 Cities
San Diego
Los Angeles
Orange
San Francisco
Seattle
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$51,100
What Students Are Saying
CSUSM has wonderful programs for students who are pursing business or nursing majors. The campus life is friendly and there are tons of activities to get involved. The resources and academic counseling offered by CSUSM is extensive.
Sarah from Santa Ysabel, CA
Its a good smaller, mainly commuters school. Its nice for most majors except for nursing. Planning to major in anything else and you'll be fine. Nursing and Kinesiology are both impacted and you need to have the highest grades to make it in.
Tamara from Lake Elsinore, CA
California State University is a very open, welcoming and relatively small school. The professors and the students become like a family to you while you experience college life. The campus is also very active in helping its students to do more than they are required, to reach out and be involved.
Ayesha from Escondido, CA
Prof. are great and well educated, they are really committed to the students education. The campus, although a commuter campus, has a great community scene and has many opportunities to get involved and develop not only character but leaderships as well. There is always classes to choose from, even when sections are closed as long as you are on top of it, you can usually crash and get into the course.
Shayla from Oceanside, CA
CSUSM is a fantastic school! I am a transfer student and this is my first semester at this school, and I absolutely love it here. They have a wonderful campus, fantastic programs and great teachers.
Kimberly from San Diego, CA
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