DUofC vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, 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 DUofC based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dominican University of California 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: Dominican University of California 8:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

DUofC vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC 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 DUofC ($10,241 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 12.6% lower than at Dominican University of California ($14,152 vs. $16,191).
• Dominican University of California is 545.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $44,079 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.2% higher at DUofC than at California State University San Marcos (about $31,479 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 207.7% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($34,224 vs. $11,123).

DUofC vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DUofC 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 DUofC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 220 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; California 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: DUofC - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for DUofC 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).

• Dominican University of California's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $9,005 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($17,995 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($186 vs. $279).
• More DUofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.