Life Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Life Pacific University in San Dimas, 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 Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 621 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Life Pacific University is located in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Life Pacific 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: Life Pacific University 12:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Life Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University ($10,241 vs. $21,602).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 13.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($12,190 vs. $14,152).
• Life Pacific University is 173.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $14,036 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (about $1,436 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 23.1% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($13,696 vs. $11,123).

Life Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 30 points higher than at Life Pacific University (1010).
• Incoming Life Pacific University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life Pacific University 930/1085; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Life Pacific University 16/25; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Life Pacific University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Life Pacific University May 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• Life Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Life Pacific University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Life Pacific University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than Life Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $2,535 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($17,995 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($186 vs. $212).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 54%)

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.