Samuel Merritt University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, 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 Samuel Merritt University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,926 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Samuel Merritt University is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Samuel Merritt 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: Samuel Merritt University 5:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Samuel Merritt University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Samuel Merritt University 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 Samuel Merritt University ($8,082.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between California State University-San Marcos and Samuel Merritt University ($20,682.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at Samuel Merritt University (71% vs. 0%).

Samuel Merritt University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Samuel Merritt 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 Samuel Merritt University.

• 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: Samuel Merritt University - Not reported; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

Samuel Merritt University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Samuel Merritt 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).

• Graduates from Samuel Merritt University earn a median of about $61,600 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($110,700 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $755 lower median loan debt than Samuel Merritt University graduates ($17,995 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Samuel Merritt University graduates ($186 vs. $193).
• More Samuel Merritt University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 66%)

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.