FIDM LA vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 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 FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

FIDM LA vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA 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 FIDM LA ($10,241 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 35.9% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($14,152 vs. $22,086).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is 333.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $26,918 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.2% higher at FIDM LA than at California State University San Marcos (about $14,318 more per year; $35,000.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising than at California State University San Marcos (78% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students is 24.4% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($13,834 vs. $11,123).

FIDM LA vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA 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 FIDM LA.

• 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: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); California State University-San Marcos - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

FIDM LA vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA 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).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $4,995 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($13,000 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($134 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.