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#20 Best Public Universities in California

California State University-San Marcos Admission Requirements

San Marcos, California

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Your chances of getting into California State University San Marcos

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

95.2%
Admission Difficulty for California State University San Marcos
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos is 95.2%.  Its admission rate is the 99th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into California State University-San Marcos and can you get accepted?

California State University San Marcos is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 14,064 out of the 14,774 who applied were admitted.

California State University San Marcos typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.32. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into California State University-San Marcos?

95% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California State University San Marcos you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.32 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1040 on the SAT
  • Score 19 on the ACT

California State University-San Marcos GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.32

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into California State University San Marcos?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into California State University-San Marcos are to have around a 3.32 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.32 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as California State University-San Marcos accepts 95% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at California State University-San Marcos is 3.32 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #69 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since California State University-San Marcos is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted California State University San Marcos students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 6.6% Good
3.75 to 3.99 11.9% Good
3.50 to 3.74 17.8% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 20.4% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 20.6% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 19.2% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 3.5% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

California State University-San Marcos SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California State University San Marcos. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

950-1130

Applicants Submitting SAT 

94%
SAT Scores for California State University San Marcos
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 480
Math 25th Percentile 470
Composite 25th Percentile 950
SAT Scores for California State University San Marcos
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 570
Math 75th Percentile 560
Composite 75th Percentile 1130
Average SAT Score 1040

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California State University San Marcos?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at California State University-San Marcos is 1040 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 950-1130. Students who get into California State University San Marcos score in the top 69 percent of all SAT test takers..  California State University-San Marcos ranks #58 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1040 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. California State University-San Marcos regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 950 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 950, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 860, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California State University San Marcos is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1040, you have around a 95% chance of being admitted. A 1130 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 97% chance of getting in.

California State University San Marcos admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1130 and Above Good >97%
1040 to 1130 Avg + 95%-97%
950 to 1040 Avg - 91%-95%
860 to 950 Reach 84%-91%
Less than 860 Low <84%
Calculate My Chances 

California State University-San Marcos ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-22 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

28%
ACT Scores for California State University San Marcos
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 15
Math 25th Percentile 16
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for California State University San Marcos
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 22
Math 75th Percentile 22
Composite 75th Percentile 22
Average ACT Score 19

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into California State University-San Marcos?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to California State University-San Marcos is 19, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 22.  The school ranks #60 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 19. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 14.

28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University San Marcos.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California State University San Marcos is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into California State University-San Marcos for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 19 score has around 95% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 98% with a 22 ACT score.

California State University San Marcos admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
22 and Above Good >98%
19 to 22 Avg + 95%-98%
17 to 19 Avg - 92%-95%
15 to 17 Reach 87%-92%
Less than 15 Low <87%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

California State University San Marcos admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,967 5,807 14,774
Accepted 8,566 5,498 14,064
Acceptance Rate 96% 95% 95%
Enrolled 1,445 1,106 2,551
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 20% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

7

Applicants have 7 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University San Marcos is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California State University San Marcos and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California State University San Marcos Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at California State University San Marcos
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because California State University San Marcos is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.32 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1040 and ACT of 19 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to California State University San Marcos often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=366711 IPEDS survey data for California State University San Marcos.

Last updated February 24, 2024