California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$13,399
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$6,625
$30k - $48k
$7,515
$48k - $75k
$10,963
$75k - $110k
$15,727
$110k+
$18,662
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:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$14,152
Books and Supplies
$1,018
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

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.
45%
Average Aid Per Year
$8,922
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 Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,138
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,295
Students receiving state aid
61%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$2,268
Students receiving federal aid
45%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,138
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$89,336,176
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$1,061,927

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
Students receiving federal loans
28%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,800
Average Other Loans Per Year
$12,997
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
Loan Default Rate
5%
US National: 7%
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

What Students Are Saying

The school definitely gives you your money's worth. Your tuition itself includes the use of The Clark which is the Gym of the school. The Clark, has treadmills, exercise classes, and even personal trainers. If your worried about not getting your classes on time then you should join the O-team where you become part of team that helps during orientation of incoming students, this also allows you to register to classes quicker then any one else. your tuition also includes health benefits, as student you are allowed to go down to the clinic across the street and health screenings, talk to a counselor about any problems that you may be encountering, or to get any assortment of shots that you could be missing. In addition, if your looking for a Job you can a get one in any of these places although it may not be easy it would be worth it.
Jennifer from Vista, CA
Tuition is about $2,400 which is incredibly cheap for a university. Definitely get a good education for a good price
Lindsey
The only thing is not being able to get the classes you need when registration time comes. I make sure I get priority by living in the UVA. Then you are guaranteed a spot in classes you need.
Desirae from Indio, CA
It is so much more affordable at CSUSM than it was for me to attend any other 4 year college in the San Diego area, even with academic aide! And to top it all off, there is great academics here; great classes, great teachers, great resources! Tuition cost includes the extensive online databases and access to the library! It also includes the use of the Clark, which is basically a full service gym. It is definitely worth the cost of tuition.
Sarah from Santa Ysabel, CA
For the price of a public school you get the education of a private school! Smaller classes meaning better professor student relationships.
Tamara from Lake Elsinore, CA
Not any different than any other CSU. Its still expensive but the education you get is quality and the resources available make it worth it.
Shayla from Oceanside, CA