New Jersey City University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare New Jersey City University in Jersey City, 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 New Jersey City University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 5,429 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• New Jersey City University is located in Jersey City, NJ (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• New Jersey City 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: New Jersey City University 13:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

New Jersey City University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, New Jersey City 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 New Jersey City University ($10,241 vs. $16,724).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 16% lower than at New Jersey City University ($14,152 vs. $16,844).
• New Jersey City University is 78.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $6,378 more per year; $14,460.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at New Jersey City University (about $6,222 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $14,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Jersey City University than at California State University San Marcos (82% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Jersey City University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($11,582 vs. $11,123).

New Jersey City University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, New Jersey City University or California State University-San Marcos? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-San Marcos and New Jersey City University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 20 points higher than at New Jersey City University (1020).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: New Jersey City University 890/1140; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: New Jersey City University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at New Jersey City University (3.24).
• New Jersey City University has a higher acceptance rate (98.4%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.8% at New Jersey City University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

New Jersey City University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for New Jersey City University and California State University-San Marcos? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than New Jersey City University's (39%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than New Jersey City University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $44,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Jersey City University graduates have a $640 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($17,355 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, New Jersey City University graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($179 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Jersey City University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 49%)

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.