Golden Gate University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Golden Gate University in San Francisco, 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 Golden Gate University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 3,098 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Golden Gate University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Golden Gate 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: Golden Gate University 7:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Golden Gate University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Golden Gate University or California State University-San Marcos? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Golden Gate University are 6.7% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,200 vs. $14,152).
• Golden Gate University is 283.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $22,906 more per year; $30,988.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at Golden Gate University than at California State University San Marcos (about $10,306 more per year; $30,988.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at Golden Gate University (71% vs. 0%).

Golden Gate University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Golden Gate 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 Golden Gate University.

• 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: Golden Gate University - Not reported; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

Golden Gate University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Golden Gate 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).

• Graduates from Golden Gate University earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($76,400 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $11,844 lower median loan debt than Golden Gate University graduates ($17,995 vs. $29,839).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $122 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Golden Gate University graduates ($186 vs. $308).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Golden Gate University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.