Georgia Southwestern vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, GA 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 Georgia Southwestern based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 3,700 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgia Southwestern State University is located in Americus, GA (Distant Town setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Georgia Southwestern State 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: Georgia Southwestern State University 18:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Georgia Southwestern vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern ($10,241 vs. $11,769).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgia Southwestern State University are 23.3% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($10,850 vs. $14,152).
• California State University San Marcos is 54.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia Southwestern (about $2,862 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.8% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Georgia Southwestern State University (about $4,110 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $16,572.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Georgia Southwestern State University than at California State University San Marcos (91% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 22.2% larger than aid received by Georgia Southwestern State University students ($11,123 vs. $9,104).

Georgia Southwestern vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgia Southwestern 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 Georgia Southwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 40 points higher than at Georgia Southwestern (1000).
• Incoming Georgia Southwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at California State University-San Marcos (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 890/1110; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgia Southwestern State University 16/22; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgia Southwestern - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Georgia Southwestern Jul 21, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Georgia Southwestern (3.17).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Georgia Southwestern (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.5% at Georgia Southwestern vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Georgia Southwestern vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgia Southwestern 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Georgia Southwestern State University's (30%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Georgia Southwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $38,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $4,005 lower median loan debt than Georgia Southwestern graduates ($17,995 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia Southwestern graduates ($186 vs. $227).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia Southwestern students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 45%)

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.