Kean vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ 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 Kean based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 13,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Kean 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: Kean University 17:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Kean vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean 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 Kean ($10,241 vs. $12,708).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 22.5% lower than at Kean University ($14,152 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 76.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $6,217 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Kean than at California State University San Marcos (about $1,764 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kean University than at California State University San Marcos (90% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 35.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($15,048 vs. $11,123).

Kean vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean 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 Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kean University (1040) is the same as at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; 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: Kean - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Kean (3.2).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for Kean 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).

• The graduation rate at Kean is the same as at California State University San Marcos (49% vs. 49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Kean graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $7,005 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($17,995 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($186 vs. $258).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 52%)

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.