Austin Peay State University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN 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 Austin Peay State University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 10,439 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Austin Peay State University is located in Clarksville, TN (Midsize City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Austin Peay State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Austin Peay State University 14:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Austin Peay State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University than California State University-San Marcos ($9,882 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Austin Peay State University are 5.1% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,430 vs. $14,152).
• Austin Peay State University is 11.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $924 more per year; $9,006.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.1% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Austin Peay State University (about $5,916 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $14,766.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Austin Peay State University than at California State University San Marcos (96% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Peay State University students is 1.5% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($11,290 vs. $11,123).

Austin Peay State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 60 points higher than at Austin Peay State University (980).
• Incoming Austin Peay State University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Austin Peay State University 843/1126; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Austin Peay State University 18/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Austin Peay State University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Austin Peay State University Aug 4, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Austin Peay State University (3.3).
• Austin Peay State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 27.5% at Austin Peay State University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Austin Peay State University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University's (34%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Austin Peay State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $37,400), 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 Austin Peay State 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 Austin Peay State University graduates ($186 vs. $232).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin Peay State University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 44%)

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.