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Public · San Marcos, California

California State University-San Marcos

Suburban campus · 14,877 undergraduates · 24 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
95%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$10,229
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
55%
View of CSUSM (to the right of the photo) from Double Peak.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is California State University-San Marcos a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

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What California State University-San Marcos costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$6,230
$30,001 – $48,000
$7,240
$48,001 – $75,000
$8,928
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,525
Over $110,000
$18,734

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state with any WUE discount applied, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$21,649
Tuition, in-state
$8,082
Tuition, out-of-state
$20,682
First-years given a grant by the school
46%
Average grant from the school
$5,568
Median debt at graduation
$17,350
The school's own net price calculator
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Western Undergraduate Exchange. Students from 17 other member states may pay a reduced rate here, at most 150% of in-state tuition. Each school sets its own WUE rules: some require a minimum GPA, exclude majors, or limit awards. Details ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate
95%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
77%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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California State University-San Marcos athletics

NCAA D2, 7 women's and 6 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Baseball–39
Basketball1816
Cross country13664
Golf1010
Soccer3229
Softball26–
Track & field13664
Volleyball18–

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Find every NCAA D2 school with women’s soccer within 300 miles of you, on one map with net price and admission odds.Search by sport →

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Business & marketing
18%
Social sciences
17%
Health professions
10%
Psychology
9%
Parks, recreation & fitness
7%
Biological & biomedical sciences
6%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
55%
First-year retention
77%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$62,908
Median debt at graduation
$17,350
Students with a Pell grant
43%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.