California State University-San Marcos vs. Oak Valley College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA with Oak Valley College in Rialto, California on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Oak Valley College based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 75 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Oak Valley College is in Rialto, California (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Oak Valley College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University San Marcos 24:1; Oak Valley College 7:1.

California State University-San Marcos vs. Oak Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California State University-San Marcos or Oak Valley College? 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 Oak Valley College ($10,241 vs. $21,166).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oak Valley College are 21.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($11,054 vs. $14,152).
• Oak Valley College is 199.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $16,098 more per year; $24,180.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Oak Valley College than at California State University San Marcos (about $3,498 more per year; $24,180.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oak Valley College than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oak Valley College students is 15% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,791 vs. $11,123).

California State University-San Marcos vs. Oak Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California State University-San Marcos or Oak Valley College? 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 Oak Valley College and California State University-San Marcos.

• Oak Valley College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California State University-San Marcos - Test-free; Oak Valley College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

California State University-San Marcos vs. Oak Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California State University-San Marcos and Oak Valley College? 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 State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate is 49%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for Oak Valley College.
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos have median earnings of about $49,100 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for Oak Valley College.

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.