NDNU vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, 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 NDNU based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 306 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Notre Dame de Namur University is located in Belmont, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Notre Dame de Namur 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: Notre Dame de Namur University 6:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

NDNU vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NDNU or California State University-San Marcos? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 5.8% lower than at Notre Dame de Namur University ($14,152 vs. $15,016).
• Notre Dame de Namur University is 349.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $28,224 more per year; $36,306.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.5% higher at NDNU than at California State University San Marcos (about $15,624 more per year; $36,306.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at Notre Dame de Namur University (71% vs. 0%).

NDNU vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NDNU 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 NDNU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia 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: NDNU - Not reported; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at NDNU (3.1).

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

How do outcomes compare for NDNU 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).

• Notre Dame de Namur University's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from Notre Dame de Namur University earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,700 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $7,227 lower median loan debt than NDNU graduates ($17,995 vs. $25,222).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDNU graduates ($186 vs. $260).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NDNU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 64%)

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.