California State University-San Marcos vs. American University of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA with American University of Health Sciences in Signal Hill, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than American University of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 473 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting); American University of Health Sciences is in Signal Hill, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. American University of Health Sciences is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Marcos 24:1; American University of Health Sciences 16:1.

California State University-San Marcos vs. American University of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Marcos or American University of Health Sciences? 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 American University of Health Sciences ($10,241 vs. $26,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 27.9% lower than at American University of Health Sciences ($14,152 vs. $19,632).
• American University of Health Sciences is 204.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $16,493 more per year; $24,575.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.8% higher at American University of Health Sciences than at California State University San Marcos (about $3,893 more per year; $24,575.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University of Health Sciences than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University of Health Sciences students is 77.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($19,723 vs. $11,123).

California State University-San Marcos vs. American University of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Marcos or American University of Health Sciences? 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 American University of Health Sciences and California State University-San Marcos.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Marcos - Test-free; American University of Health Sciences - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.82 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at American University of Health Sciences (2.5).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than American University of Health Sciences (50%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at California State University-San Marcos vs. 100% at American University of Health Sciences.

California State University-San Marcos vs. American University of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Marcos and American University of Health Sciences? 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).

• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than American University of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $19,295 lower median loan debt than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($17,995 vs. $37,290).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $199 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($186 vs. $385).
• More American University of Health Sciences graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 66%)

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.