CIIS vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than CIIS based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,874 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Integral Studies is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Institute of Integral Studies 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 Institute of Integral Studies 15:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Cost details

• Out-of-state tuition differs between California State University-San Marcos and California Institute of Integral Studies ($20,682 vs. $0).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at California Institute of Integral Studies (71% vs. 0%).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are not reported at CIIS, test-free at California State University-San Marcos.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $755 lower median loan debt than CIIS graduates ($17,995 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CIIS graduates ($186 vs. $193).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CIIS students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 45%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.