San Jose State vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare San Jose State University in San Jose, 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 Jose State University is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Jose 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 Jose State University 25:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, San Jose 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 Jose State ($10,241 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 32.5% lower than at San Jose State University ($14,152 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 4.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $328 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at San Jose State than at California State University San Marcos (about $328 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at San Jose State University (71% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 11.1% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($12,353 vs. $11,123).

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

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 90 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Jose State students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $2,995 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($155 vs. $186).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.