Pacific Graduate School of Psychology vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Palo Alto University in Palo Alto, 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 Pacific Graduate School of Psychology based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palo Alto University is located in Palo Alto, CA (Rural Fringe setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Palo Alto 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: Palo Alto University 15:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

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

• In-state tuition differs between California State University San Marcos and Pacific Graduate School of Psychology ($8,082.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between California State University-San Marcos and Palo Alto University ($20,682.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at Palo Alto University (71% vs. 0%).

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology 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 Pacific Graduate School of Psychology.

• 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: Pacific Graduate School of Psychology - Not reported; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Pacific Graduate School of Psychology Aug 31, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pacific Graduate School of Psychology 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $5 lower median loan debt than Pacific Graduate School of Psychology graduates ($17,995 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, California State University San Marcos and Pacific Graduate School of Psychology graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($186 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Graduate School of Psychology students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.