Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona Christian University in Glendale, AZ with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Arizona Christian University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,421 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona Christian University is located in Glendale, AZ (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Arizona Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona Christian University 16:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arizona Christian University or California State University-San Marcos? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Marcos than Arizona Christian University ($10,241 vs. $32,514).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 3.7% lower than at Arizona Christian University ($14,152 vs. $14,700).
• Arizona Christian University is 334.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $27,016 more per year; $35,098.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.7% higher at Arizona Christian University than at California State University San Marcos (about $14,416 more per year; $35,098.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Arizona Christian University than at California State University San Marcos (97% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arizona Christian University students is 101.9% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($22,459 vs. $11,123).

Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arizona Christian University or California State University-San Marcos? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-San Marcos and Arizona Christian University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Arizona Christian University (1070) is 30 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Arizona Christian University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at California State University-San Marcos (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona Christian University 960/1170; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona Christian University 16/23; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Arizona Christian University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Arizona Christian University (3.16).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Arizona Christian University (70.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 35.7% at Arizona Christian University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Arizona Christian University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Arizona Christian University and California State University-San Marcos? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Arizona Christian University's (31%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Arizona Christian University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $33,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $4,505 lower median loan debt than Arizona Christian University graduates ($17,995 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arizona Christian University graduates ($186 vs. $232).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arizona Christian University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.