HIU vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Hope International University in Fullerton, 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 HIU based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hope International University is located in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Hope International 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: Hope International University 13:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

HIU vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HIU 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 HIU ($10,241 vs. $29,896).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope International University are 8.5% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,950 vs. $14,152).
• Hope International University is 370.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $29,968 more per year; $38,050.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84% higher at HIU than at California State University San Marcos (about $17,368 more per year; $38,050.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope International University than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope International University students is 102% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($22,474 vs. $11,123).

HIU vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HIU 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 HIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 10 points higher than at HIU (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hope International University 840/1220; 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: HIU - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: HIU Aug 20, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at HIU (3.26).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than HIU (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38.4% at HIU vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for HIU 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 Hope International University's (32%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than HIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $8,005 lower median loan debt than HIU graduates ($17,995 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HIU graduates ($186 vs. $268).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HIU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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.