California Baptist University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA 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 California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Baptist 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: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

California Baptist University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist 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 California Baptist University ($10,241 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 14.2% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,140 vs. $14,152).
• California Baptist University is 410.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $33,146 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.3% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University San Marcos (about $20,546 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University San Marcos (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 140.4% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($26,743 vs. $11,123).

California Baptist University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Baptist University (1060) is 20 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California Baptist University students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

California Baptist University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and California State University-San Marcos? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $9,005 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($17,995 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($186 vs. $279).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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.