Fresno Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, 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 Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 2,879 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fresno Pacific University is located in Fresno, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Fresno Pacific University 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: Fresno Pacific University 10:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Fresno Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fresno Pacific 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 Fresno Pacific University ($10,241 vs. $15,261).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 27.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($10,210 vs. $14,152).
• Fresno Pacific University is 353.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $28,578 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.3% higher at Fresno Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (about $15,978 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 166.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($29,616 vs. $11,123).

Fresno Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fresno Pacific 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 Fresno Pacific University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fresno Pacific University (1110) is 70 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Fresno Pacific 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: Fresno Pacific University 970/1240; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fresno Pacific University 17/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fresno Pacific University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Fresno Pacific University Aug 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Fresno Pacific University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Fresno Pacific University (64.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Fresno Pacific University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Fresno Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fresno Pacific 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).

• Fresno Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $3,505 lower median loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($17,995 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 53%)

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.