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California State University-San Marcos

California State University-San Marcos is a public campus in suburban San Marcos, CA.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$6,812
family income
under $30k
$7,246
$30–48k
$9,980
$48–75k
$13,773
$75–110k
$19,772
over $110k

Average net price

$10,2292023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$10k$12k$14k200820232008: $11,2562009: $11,0412010: $9,3622011: $11,2202012: $12,8442013: $9,7362014: $10,5472015: $9,4512016: $11,0292017: $12,8722018: $13,3992019: $13,2182020: $14,0482021: $10,7742022: $10,5502023: $10,229$10,229
$10k$12k$14k200820232008: $11,2562009: $11,0412010: $9,3622011: $11,2202012: $12,8442013: $9,7362014: $10,5472015: $9,4512016: $11,0292017: $12,8722018: $13,3992019: $13,2182020: $14,0482021: $10,7742022: $10,5502023: $10,229$10,229

Average net price at California State University-San Marcos has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $14,048 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $10,229.

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$11,256
2009$11,041
2010$9,362
2011$11,220
2012$12,844
2013$9,736
2014$10,547
2015$9,451
2016$11,029
2017$12,872
2018$13,399
2019$13,218
2020$14,048
2021$10,774
2022$10,550
2023$10,229
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$21,6492024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$16k$18k$20k$22k$24k200920242009: $16,2562010: $17,7862011: $17,2522012: $18,5872013: $20,3862014: $17,6922015: $18,9382016: $18,0702017: $19,1912018: $21,9952019: $22,4352020: $22,5312021: $23,8212022: $19,7502023: $21,1442024: $21,649$21,649
$18k$20k$23k200920242009: $16,2562010: $17,7862011: $17,2522012: $18,5872013: $20,3862014: $17,6922015: $18,9382016: $18,0702017: $19,1912018: $21,9952019: $22,4352020: $22,5312021: $23,8212022: $19,7502023: $21,1442024: $21,649$21,649

Total cost at California State University-San Marcos rose from $16,256 (2009) to $21,649 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$16,256
2010$17,786
2011$17,252
2012$18,587
2013$20,386
2014$17,692
2015$18,938
2016$18,070
2017$19,191
2018$21,995
2019$22,435
2020$22,531
2021$23,821
2022$19,750
2023$21,144
2024$21,649
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state
$0$5k$10k$15k$20k200020232000: $1,7062001: $1,7962002: $1,7962003: $2,4142004: $2,7762005: $3,0622006: $3,0922007: $3,3742008: $3,6382013: $6,6492014: $7,1692015: $7,2692016: $7,3832017: $7,6532018: $7,7132019: $7,7172020: $7,7122021: $7,7272022: $7,7332023: $7,739$7,739 in2000: $9,0862001: $9,1762002: $10,2562003: $10,8742004: $12,9462005: $13,2322006: $13,2622007: $13,5442008: $13,8202013: $17,8092014: $18,3292015: $18,4292016: $18,5432017: $19,5332018: $19,5932019: $19,5972020: $19,5922021: $19,6072022: $19,6132023: $19,619$19,619 out
$0$10k$20k200020232000: $1,7062001: $1,7962002: $1,7962003: $2,4142004: $2,7762005: $3,0622006: $3,0922007: $3,3742008: $3,6382013: $6,6492014: $7,1692015: $7,2692016: $7,3832017: $7,6532018: $7,7132019: $7,7172020: $7,7122021: $7,7272022: $7,7332023: $7,739$7,739 in2000: $9,0862001: $9,1762002: $10,2562003: $10,8742004: $12,9462005: $13,2322006: $13,2622007: $13,5442008: $13,8202013: $17,8092014: $18,3292015: $18,4292016: $18,5432017: $19,5332018: $19,5932019: $19,5972020: $19,5922021: $19,6072022: $19,6132023: $19,619$19,619 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$1,706$9,086
2001$1,796$9,176
2002$1,796$10,256
2003$2,414$10,874
2004$2,776$12,946
2005$3,062$13,232
2006$3,092$13,262
2007$3,374$13,544
2008$3,638$13,820
2013$6,649$17,809
2014$7,169$18,329
2015$7,269$18,429
2016$7,383$18,543
2017$7,653$19,533
2018$7,713$19,593
2019$7,717$19,597
2020$7,712$19,592
2021$7,727$19,607
2022$7,733$19,613
2023$7,739$19,619
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

California State University-San Marcos reports tuition of $8,082 for in-state students and $20,682 for out-of-state students. Check California State University-San Marcos’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 14,877 undergrads, California State University-San Marcos is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

54.6% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at California State University-San Marcos within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
54.6%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

30%40%50%60%entered 1995entered 2018entered 1995: 26.8%entered 1996: 33.5%entered 1997: 42.7%entered 1998: 40.4%entered 1999: 35.1%entered 2000: 37.8%entered 2001: 43.7%entered 2002: 45.1%entered 2003: 47.3%entered 2004: 44.2%entered 2005: 48.5%entered 2006: 44.6%entered 2007: 47.9%entered 2008: 48.5%entered 2009: 51.4%entered 2010: 52.5%entered 2011: 53.1%entered 2012: 54.9%entered 2013: 53.9%entered 2014: 57%entered 2015: 59.2%entered 2016: 56.7%entered 2017: 54.2%entered 2018: 54.6%54.6%
30%40%50%60%entered 1995entered 2018entered 1995: 26.8%entered 1996: 33.5%entered 1997: 42.7%entered 1998: 40.4%entered 1999: 35.1%entered 2000: 37.8%entered 2001: 43.7%entered 2002: 45.1%entered 2003: 47.3%entered 2004: 44.2%entered 2005: 48.5%entered 2006: 44.6%entered 2007: 47.9%entered 2008: 48.5%entered 2009: 51.4%entered 2010: 52.5%entered 2011: 53.1%entered 2012: 54.9%entered 2013: 53.9%entered 2014: 57%entered 2015: 59.2%entered 2016: 56.7%entered 2017: 54.2%entered 2018: 54.6%54.6%

The six-year graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos rose from 26.8% (entered 1995) to 54.6% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1995 cohort26.8%
1996 cohort33.5%
1997 cohort42.7%
1998 cohort40.4%
1999 cohort35.1%
2000 cohort37.8%
2001 cohort43.7%
2002 cohort45.1%
2003 cohort47.3%
2004 cohort44.2%
2005 cohort48.5%
2006 cohort44.6%
2007 cohort47.9%
2008 cohort48.5%
2009 cohort51.4%
2010 cohort52.5%
2011 cohort53.1%
2012 cohort54.9%
2013 cohort53.9%
2014 cohort57%
2015 cohort59.2%
2016 cohort56.7%
2017 cohort54.2%
2018 cohort54.6%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1995–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$5k$10k$15kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $9,474Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $10,096Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $13,200Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $14,000Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $15,300Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $18,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $18,186Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $17,750Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $17,739Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $17,498Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $17,818Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $17,731Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $17,134Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $17,350$17,350 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $5,936Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $5,853Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $6,483Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $7,092Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $5,913Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,230Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,750Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $9,996Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $10,335Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $9,708Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $9,463Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $8,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $8,000$8,000 left
$5k$10k$15kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $8,500Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $9,474Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $10,096Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $13,200Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $14,000Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $15,300Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $18,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $18,186Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $17,750Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $17,739Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $17,498Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $17,818Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $17,731Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $17,134Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $17,350$17,350 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $5,936Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $5,853Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $6,483Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $7,092Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $5,913Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,230Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,750Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $9,996Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $10,335Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $9,708Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $9,463Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $8,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $8,000$8,000 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$8,500$5,936
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$9,474$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$10,096$5,853
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)—$6,483
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)—$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)—$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$11,000$7,092
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$11,000$5,913
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$11,000$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$11,000$6,230
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$11,000$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$11,000$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$13,200$9,750
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$14,000$9,996
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$15,300$10,335
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$18,500$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$18,186$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$17,750$9,708
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$17,739$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$17,498$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$17,818$9,463
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$17,731$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$17,134$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$17,350$8,000
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$48,673
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$57,040
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$62,908
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

California State University-San Marcos admitted 18,755 of 19,721 applicants in Fall 2024. The 95.1% rate describes that application pool.

95.1%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$7,739 in-state tuition · 2023–2414,877 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Tests not considered · Fall 2024

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, California State University-San Marcos received 19,721 applications and admitted 18,755 (95.1%), with 2,624 enrolling.

California State University-San Marcos did not consider scores in the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. No score range is displayed for California State University-San Marcos under that historical policy.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Acceptance rate

95.1%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

40%60%80%100%200120242001: 63.2%2002: 60.3%2003: 65.6%2004: 69.6%2005: 36.5%2006: 42%2007: 76.5%2008: 71.7%2009: 73.4%2010: 71.4%2011: 40.8%2012: 58.5%2013: 62.5%2014: 61.8%2015: 54%2016: 51.8%2017: 56.8%2018: 58.4%2019: 61.7%2020: 79.4%2021: 93.3%2022: 95.2%2023: 95.7%2024: 95.1%95.1%
40%60%80%100%200120242001: 63.2%2002: 60.3%2003: 65.6%2004: 69.6%2005: 36.5%2006: 42%2007: 76.5%2008: 71.7%2009: 73.4%2010: 71.4%2011: 40.8%2012: 58.5%2013: 62.5%2014: 61.8%2015: 54%2016: 51.8%2017: 56.8%2018: 58.4%2019: 61.7%2020: 79.4%2021: 93.3%2022: 95.2%2023: 95.7%2024: 95.1%95.1%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200163.2%
Fall 200260.3%
Fall 200365.6%
Fall 200469.6%
Fall 200536.5%
Fall 200642%
Fall 200776.5%
Fall 200871.7%
Fall 200973.4%
Fall 201071.4%
Fall 201140.8%
Fall 201258.5%
Fall 201362.5%
Fall 201461.8%
Fall 201554%
Fall 201651.8%
Fall 201756.8%
Fall 201858.4%
Fall 201961.7%
Fall 202079.4%
Fall 202193.3%
Fall 202295.2%
Fall 202395.7%
Fall 202495.1%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

950–1130Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA900100011002016 REDESIGN2001202020162001: 8702002: 8802003: 8702004: 8702005: 8802006: 8802007: 8702008: 8702009: 8702010: 8602011: 8702012: 8602013: 8602014: 8602015: 8502016: 8602017: 9502018: 9602019: 9502020: 9509502001: 11002002: 11002003: 10902004: 10902005: 10902006: 10802007: 10702008: 10702009: 10802010: 10702011: 10802012: 10702013: 10702014: 10502015: 10502016: 10602017: 11302018: 11402019: 11402020: 11301130
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA900100011002016 REDESIGN2001202020162001: 8702002: 8802003: 8702004: 8702005: 8802006: 8802007: 8702008: 8702009: 8702010: 8602011: 8702012: 8602013: 8602014: 8602015: 8502016: 8602017: 9502018: 9602019: 9502020: 9509502001: 11002002: 11002003: 10902004: 10902005: 10902006: 10802007: 10702008: 10702009: 10802010: 10702011: 10802012: 10702013: 10702014: 10502015: 10502016: 10602017: 11302018: 11402019: 11402020: 11301130

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20018701100
Fall 20028801100
Fall 20038701090
Fall 20048701090
Fall 20058801090
Fall 20068801080
Fall 20078701070
Fall 20088701070
Fall 20098701080
Fall 20108601070
Fall 20118701080
Fall 20128601070
Fall 20138601070
Fall 20148601050
Fall 20158501050
Fall 20168601060
Fall 20179501130
Fall 20189601140
Fall 20199501140
Fall 20209501130
IPEDS Fall 2001–2020, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

17–22Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA182022200520202005: 172006: 172007: 182008: 182009: 182010: 182011: 172012: 182013: 182014: 172015: 182016: 182017: 182018: 172019: 172020: 17172005: 222006: 222007: 232008: 222009: 232010: 232011: 222012: 232013: 232014: 222015: 232016: 232017: 232018: 222019: 222020: 2222
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA182022200520202005: 172006: 172007: 182008: 182009: 182010: 182011: 172012: 182013: 182014: 172015: 182016: 182017: 182018: 172019: 172020: 17172005: 222006: 222007: 232008: 222009: 232010: 232011: 222012: 232013: 232014: 222015: 232016: 232017: 232018: 222019: 222020: 2222

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20051722
Fall 20061722
Fall 20071823
Fall 20081822
Fall 20091823
Fall 20101823
Fall 20111722
Fall 20121823
Fall 20131823
Fall 20141722
Fall 20151823
Fall 20161823
Fall 20171823
Fall 20181722
Fall 20191722
Fall 20201722
IPEDS Fall 2005–2020, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

14,877Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

8k10k13k15k200220242002: 6,2152003: 6,4612004: 6,2202005: 6,3442006: 7,6002007: 8,0632008: 8,1112009: 8,7082010: 8,8072011: 9,4442012: 9,8852013: 10,6892014: 11,5062015: 12,1032016: 12,4752017: 14,5162018: 14,8712019: 14,7652020: 15,0162021: 14,9372022: 13,8442023: 14,1742024: 14,87714,877
10k15k200220242002: 6,2152003: 6,4612004: 6,2202005: 6,3442006: 7,6002007: 8,0632008: 8,1112009: 8,7082010: 8,8072011: 9,4442012: 9,8852013: 10,6892014: 11,5062015: 12,1032016: 12,4752017: 14,5162018: 14,8712019: 14,7652020: 15,0162021: 14,9372022: 13,8442023: 14,1742024: 14,87714,877

Undergraduate enrollment at California State University-San Marcos rose from 6,215 (Fall 2002) to 14,877 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 20026,215
Fall 20036,461
Fall 20046,220
Fall 20056,344
Fall 20067,600
Fall 20078,063
Fall 20088,111
Fall 20098,708
Fall 20108,807
Fall 20119,444
Fall 20129,885
Fall 201310,689
Fall 201411,506
Fall 201512,103
Fall 201612,475
Fall 201714,516
Fall 201814,871
Fall 201914,765
Fall 202015,016
Fall 202114,937
Fall 202213,844
Fall 202314,174
Fall 202414,877
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

79%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

75%80%85%200320232003: 75%2004: 73%2005: 79%2006: 74%2007: 73%2008: 76%2009: 81%2010: 82%2011: 82%2012: 82%2013: 83%2014: 81%2015: 81%2016: 79%2017: 77%2018: 79%2019: 84%2020: 79%2021: 72%2022: 75%2023: 79%79%
75%80%85%200320232003: 75%2004: 73%2005: 79%2006: 74%2007: 73%2008: 76%2009: 81%2010: 82%2011: 82%2012: 82%2013: 83%2014: 81%2015: 81%2016: 79%2017: 77%2018: 79%2019: 84%2020: 79%2021: 72%2022: 75%2023: 79%79%

First-year retention at California State University-San Marcos has held near 79% from Fall 2003 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2003 cohort75%
Fall 2004 cohort73%
Fall 2005 cohort79%
Fall 2006 cohort74%
Fall 2007 cohort73%
Fall 2008 cohort76%
Fall 2009 cohort81%
Fall 2010 cohort82%
Fall 2011 cohort82%
Fall 2012 cohort82%
Fall 2013 cohort83%
Fall 2014 cohort81%
Fall 2015 cohort81%
Fall 2016 cohort79%
Fall 2017 cohort77%
Fall 2018 cohort79%
Fall 2019 cohort84%
Fall 2020 cohort79%
Fall 2021 cohort72%
Fall 2022 cohort75%
Fall 2023 cohort79%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023
More about California State University-San Marcos

42.6% of California State University-San Marcos's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes California State University-San Marcos as a primarily nonresidential campus — most of its 14,877 undergraduates live off campus, and 78.6% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

California State University-San Marcos reported not considering test scores in Fall 2024, when its admission rate was 95.1%. Review California State University-San Marcos's current requirements before applying; use the GPA calculator for your semester numbers.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How California State University-San Marcos compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

California State University-San Marcos95.1%
California median74.4%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

California State University-San Marcos$8,082
California median$23,000
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

California State University-San Marcos's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

California State University-San Marcos$62,908
California median$64,778
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
California State University-San Marcos, California and national reference values
Metric & basisCalifornia State University-San MarcosCalifornia medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS95.1%74.4%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$8,082$23,000$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$62,908$64,778$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For California State University-San Marcos, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

California State University-San Marcos federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 31 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$120,196
Computer Science$97,827
Computer Systems Analysis$93,047
Accounting and Related Services$86,318
Economics$83,339
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$80,303
International Business$77,965
Finance and Financial Management Services$77,312
Biotechnology$76,622
Marketing$73,290
Management Information Systems and Services$72,448
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$71,068
Business Administration, Management and Operations$70,900
Biology, General$70,789
Business/Commerce, General$68,984
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$65,479
Social Sciences, General$63,622
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$61,252
Communication and Media Studies$59,842
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$58,289
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$55,903
Criminology$55,418
Psychology, General$55,196
English Language and Literature, General$54,985
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services$53,568
Sociology$53,287
History$52,985
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$51,445
Political Science and Government$50,857
Anthropology$49,848
Visual and Performing Arts, General$48,043

These 31 fields listed for California State University-San Marcos measure earnings after completion. The $62,908 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 16 additional California State University-San Marcos fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does California State University-San Marcos report?

California State University-San Marcos did not consider scores in Fall 2024: 95.1% admitted. Check current requirements.

What is California State University-San Marcos's acceptance rate?

95.1% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 18,755 admitted from 19,721 applicants.

How much does California State University-San Marcos cost?

In-state tuition is $8,082; out-of-state students pay $20,682. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does California State University-San Marcos report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $62,908. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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