San Francisco State vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare San Francisco State University in San Francisco, 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 Francisco State University is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Francisco 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 Francisco State University 19:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco 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 Francisco State ($10,241 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 36.4% lower than at San Francisco State University ($14,152 vs. $22,266).
• California State University San Marcos is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Francisco State (about $132 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $7,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at San Francisco State University (about $132 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $20,550.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State University San Marcos (77% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,996 vs. $11,123).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 10 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming San Francisco State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 19) as students at California State University-San Marcos (19).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Francisco State University graduates have a $745 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($17,250 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, San Francisco State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($178 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State 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.