Central Washington University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA 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 Central Washington University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 10,811 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Washington University is located in Ellensburg, WA (Distant Town setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Washington University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Washington University 15:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Central Washington University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Washington 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 Central Washington University ($10,241 vs. $19,898).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 14.1% lower than at Central Washington University ($14,152 vs. $16,480).
• Central Washington University is 16.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $1,335 more per year; $9,417.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.1% higher at Central Washington University than at California State University San Marcos (about $6,844 more per year; $27,526.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Washington University than at California State University San Marcos (85% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 26.2% larger than aid received by Central Washington University students ($11,123 vs. $8,816).

Central Washington University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Washington University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Central Washington University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Central Washington University (1040) is the same as at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Central Washington University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 930/1150; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Central Washington University 17/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Washington University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Washington University Mar 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Central Washington University (3.08).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Central Washington University (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20% at Central Washington University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Central Washington University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Washington University and California State University-San Marcos? 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).

• Central Washington University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Central Washington University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $47,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $2,742 lower median loan debt than Central Washington University graduates ($17,995 vs. $20,737).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Washington University graduates ($186 vs. $214).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Washington University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 60%)

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.