PUC vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, 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 PUC based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Pacific Union College 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: Pacific Union College 12:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

PUC vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC 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 PUC ($10,241 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 30.6% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($9,816 vs. $14,152).
• Pacific Union College is 359.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $29,091 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at PUC than at California State University San Marcos (about $16,491 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 139.4% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($26,629 vs. $11,123).

PUC vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is 20 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming PUC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 930/1190; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 20/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - Test-free; 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 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at PUC (3.24).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for PUC 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $10,100 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 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 PUC 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 PUC graduates ($186 vs. $310).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

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.