La Sierra University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, 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 La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Sierra 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: La Sierra University 12:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

La Sierra University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($10,241 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 5.1% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,431 vs. $14,152).
• La Sierra University is 366.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $29,628 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.3% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University San Marcos (about $17,028 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University San Marcos (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 148.5% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($27,646 vs. $11,123).

La Sierra University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra 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 La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 30 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra 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 La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

La Sierra University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $12,005 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($17,995 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $124 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($186 vs. $310).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University 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.