San Diego Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego Christian College in Santee, 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 San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Christian College is located in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Diego Christian 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: San Diego Christian College 9:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

San Diego Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College ($10,241 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 21.7% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($11,080 vs. $14,152).
• San Diego Christian College is 246.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $19,930 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.4% higher at San Diego Christian College than at California State University San Marcos (about $7,330 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Christian College students is 67.1% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($18,584 vs. $11,123).

San Diego Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 40 points higher than at San Diego Christian College (1000).
• Incoming San Diego Christian College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 900/1098; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 18/24; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego Christian College - Test optional; 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 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at San Diego Christian College vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

San Diego Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $9,600 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $5,111 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($17,995 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($186 vs. $238).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 47%)

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.