California State University San Marcos: Review & Facts

Overall Rating:Overall Ranking - ExcellentQuality:Education Quality Rating - OustandingSafety:Capmus Safety Rating - PoorCosts:Tuition & Fees Cost Rating - Good

ReviewMajors / RatingsTuition / LoansFaculty / SalariesCampus CrimeAdmissions

California State University San Marcos is a large four-year, public school with 15,110 students enrolled. This school was established in 1989 and is one of the 5 schools and colleges located in San Marcos, California.

California State University San Marcos is also a Tribal School and a member of American Indian Higher Education Consortium.

Academic Offerings

Bachelor's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, master's degree, postmaster certificate, and doctoral degree are offered at California State University San Marcos.

Majors
Offered
58
California State University San Marcos implements a semester-based curriculum calendar system and offers choices in 58 majors. The most popular concentrations are Psychology, Management, Business, Sociology and Anthropology, and Nursing. Read the details about Majors offered at this college and see program Ratings.

It is important to know student retention and graduation rates when you apply to a school to get your diploma or to engage in a long-term study; high retention and graduation rates are typically a positive sign. However, if you are planning to transfer out or take non-credit coursework, these metrics are not important.

The student retention rate at California State University San Marcos is fair at 72% (close to California average). Considering this statistic, it seems that students like their stay at this school.

Student Retention
72%
Fair
The graduation rate at California State University San Marcos is average: 61%. Approximately 7% of the school's undergraduate students transfer to other colleges.

Student to faculty ratio at California State University San Marcos is reasonable -- 23:1. Learn more information regarding faculty at this college in the Faculty & Salaries report.

Tuition and Loans

Average tuition charges are fairly high, around $17,700 a year. The additional fees at California State University San Marcos not covered by tuition are about $2,000; which totals $19,700 per year.

Read the details about California State University San Marcos additional charges as well as availability of loans and likelihood of repaying them upon graduation in the Tuition & Loans report for this college.

Admissions Information

Acceptance
Rate
95%
Easy
As reported in recent data, 14,774 applications were submitted and 14,064 were accepted, so it is very easy to enroll at this school.

California State University San Marcos might accept dual credits, credits for life experience, and advanced placement credits for admission.

Check the details about admissions as well applicants' SAT and ACT test scores at California State University San Marcos in the Admissions and Tests report for this college.

Opportunities and Services

Dormatory
Annual Price
$9,400
High
California State University San Marcos offers a distance education program and study abroad programs.

There are options for on-campus part-time employment at California State University San Marcos, which allows students to cover some of the tuition expenses. Additionally, this school helps students to evaluate their career options and find a full-time job upon graduation.

Safety
Grade
D+
Unsafe
California State University San Marcos provides on-campus housing. Dormitory capacity at this college accommodates nearly 1,900 students, which provides a nice on-campus housing opportunity. The room price is high: around $9,400 per year.

Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs are available at California State University San Marcos. Reserve Officers' Training Corps commissioning programs typically imply elective classes in addition to required college curriculum, possible funding for your tuition, and an obligation to serve upon graduation.

ROTC
Available
Yes
It is important to keep in mind that enrolling in a ROTC course does not commit you to serve unless you have obtained a ROTC scholarship, grant, or any other funding.

Based on the college crime data, California State University San Marcos seems to be a relatively dangerous school. Read the details in the Campus Crime report for this college.

California State University San Marcos Location and Address

Postal Address:
California State University San Marcos
333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd
San Marcos, California
92096-0001, USA
California State University San Marcos Location Map - Street View
California State University San Marcos Location Map - City View

Alternatives to California State University San Marcos

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University of California RiversideUniversity of California RiversideRiverside, CA
University of California Riverside Rating
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Other Nearby Colleges



Pima Medical Institute San MarcosPima Medical Institute San MarcosSan Marcos, CA
Pima Medical Institute San Marcos Rating
Associate's degrees. Around 700 students. Safe campus. Best known for offering medical assistant and veterinary programs.

University of Saint KatherineUniversity of Saint KatherineSan Marcos, CA
University of Saint Katherine Rating
Bachelor's and master's degrees. Tuition: $27k. Roughly 300 students. Safe campus. Strong management, occupational therapy, and business programs. ACT 21 to enroll.

Palomar Institute of CosmetologyPalomar Institute of CosmetologySan Marcos, CA
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology Rating
More than 200 students. Safe campus.

Palomar CollegePalomar CollegeSan Marcos, CA
Palomar College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $11k. Around 17,700 students. Safe campus. Popular general studies, social work, and biology programs.


John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityJohn Paul the Great Catholic UniversityEscondido, CA
John Paul the Great Catholic University Rating
Bachelor's degrees. Tuition: $27k. Moderately priced on-campus housing. Over 300 students. Safe campus. Concentration on communication and journalism program. SAT 1090, ACT 19 to enroll.

Westminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaWestminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaEscondido, CA
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Master's degrees. Above average on-campus housing. Approximately 200 students. Generally safe campus.

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Associate's and bachelor's degrees. Tuition: $8k. Around 10,900 students. Safe campus. Popular general studies, biology, and management programs.

Bellus Academy PowayBellus Academy PowayPoway, CA
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About 500 students. Safe campus.

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Associate's degrees. Tuition: $7k. Approximately 13,100 students. Generally safe campus. Strong emphasis on general studies, management, and business programs.

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Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $17k. On-campus housing option. More than 3,600 students. Safe campus. Well known for psychology, education, and medical programs.


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San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego, CA
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Grossmont CollegeGrossmont CollegeEl Cajon, CA
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