CDU vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA 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 CDU based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 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: Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

CDU vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CDU 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 CDU ($10,241 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 57.2% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($14,152 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 184.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $14,918 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at CDU than at California State University San Marcos (about $2,318 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 160.1% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($11,123 vs. $4,276).

CDU vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CDU 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 CDU.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CDU - Open admission; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CDU Jul 30, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at CDU (3.26).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.5% at CDU vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

CDU vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CDU 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).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $3,324 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($17,995 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($186 vs. $220).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 56%)

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.