California State University-San Marcos Admission Requirements
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- San Marcos, CA
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California State University-San Marcos Admission Overview
California State University-San Marcos admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year California State University-San Marcos admitted 95.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.32 GPA (B+). California State University-San Marcos is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
California State University-San Marcos is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.
California State University-San Marcos Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for California State University San Marcos
Acceptance Rate
The California State University-San Marcos acceptance rate is 95.1%. Last year, 18,755 of 19,721 applicants were admitted. That is the 94th lowest acceptance rate 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, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
California State University San Marcos typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.32. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
California State University-San Marcos GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.32Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.32
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at California State University-San Marcos typically have around a 3.32 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. California State University-San Marcos is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.
The school ranks #67 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
California State University-San Marcos Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
California State University, San Marcos does not consider SAT or ACT scores for first-year admission in the 2026-27 cycle. The California State University no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility at any CSU campus. If you are accepted, SAT or ACT scores can be used as one of the measures to place you in mathematics and written communication courses. You may report your ACT or College Board ID on Cal State Apply; scores sent to one CSU campus are available to every CSU campus you apply to.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/pages/testing-requirements.aspx
California State University-San Marcos SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers from the last year SAT scores were reported. The maximum score is 1600.
950-1130Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores, from the last year SAT scores were reported.
94%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 480
- Math 470
- Composite 950
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 570
- Math 560
- Composite 1130
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at California State University-San Marcos typically score around a 1040 SAT (middle 50% 950–1130) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 47th percentile nationally. California State University-San Marcos ranks #57 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 950 to 1130
View other colleges which accept students in the 1040 SAT score range.
SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
California State University-San Marcos ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers in the last year ACT scores were reported. The scale tops out at 36.
17-22Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT, from the last year ACT scores were reported.
28%25th Percentile Scores
- English 15
- Math 16
- Composite 17
75th Percentile Scores
- English 22
- Math 22
- Composite 22
Average ACT
Incoming testers at California State University-San Marcos typically have around a 19 ACT (mid-50 17–22) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 44th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. California State University-San Marcos places #59 among colleges in California for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 17 to 22
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 19.0 ACT score range.
ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.
Open the California State University-San Marcos chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University San Marcos and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2026 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Nov 30, 2026Days left to Apply
91Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University San Marcos is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
California State University-San Marcos is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 95.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.32 GPA (about an B+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California State University San Marcos often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=366711.
GPA calculator: California State University San Marcos GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026