San Diego State vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State 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 State ($10,241 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 38.5% lower than at San Diego State University ($14,152 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $646 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at San Diego State than at California State University San Marcos (about $646 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at San Diego State University (71% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,053 vs. $11,123).

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

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State 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 State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 160 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $2,646 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($15,349 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($158 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

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.