California State University-San Marcos vs. Los Angeles Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA with Los Angeles Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Los Angeles Pacific University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Los Angeles Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Los Angeles Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Marcos 24:1; Los Angeles Pacific University 24:1.

California State University-San Marcos vs. Los Angeles Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Marcos or Los Angeles Pacific University? 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 Los Angeles Pacific University ($10,241 vs. $22,498).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 27.9% lower than at Los Angeles Pacific University ($14,152 vs. $19,632).
• Los Angeles Pacific University is 52.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $4,278 more per year; $12,360.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.3% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Los Angeles Pacific University (about $8,322 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $12,360.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Los Angeles Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (93% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Los Angeles Pacific University students ($11,123 vs. $7,732).

California State University-San Marcos vs. Los Angeles Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Marcos or Los Angeles Pacific University? 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 Los Angeles Pacific University and California State University-San Marcos.

• Los Angeles Pacific University reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Los Angeles Pacific University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-San Marcos vs. Los Angeles Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Marcos and Los Angeles Pacific University? 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 Los Angeles Pacific University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $49,100), 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 Los Angeles Pacific 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 Los Angeles Pacific University graduates ($186 vs. $232).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Los Angeles Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.