Lamar University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lamar University is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (17,772 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lamar University is located in Beaumont, TX (Midsize City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lamar 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: Lamar University 20:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Lamar University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lamar 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 Lamar University than California State University-San Marcos ($9,814 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lamar University are 26.1% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($10,464 vs. $14,152).
• Lamar University is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $823 more per year; $8,905.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.3% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Lamar University (about $1,937 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $18,745.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lamar University than at California State University San Marcos (91% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lamar University students is 10.2% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,263 vs. $11,123).

Lamar University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lamar 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 Lamar University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lamar University (1040) is the same as at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Lamar University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lamar University 930/1140; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lamar University 18/25; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lamar University - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Lamar University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Lamar University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Lamar University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for Lamar 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 Lamar University's (31%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Lamar University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $45,500), 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 Lamar University 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 Lamar University graduates ($186 vs. $227).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lamar University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 42%)

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.