Simpson University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Should I go to Simpson University or California State University San Marcos? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Simpson University or California State University-San Marcos is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Simpson University vs. California State University San Marcos comparison
Simpson University California State University San Marcos College 3 College 4
California State University San Marcos
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Overview

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
Location Redding, CA San Marcos, CA
Setting Rural Fringe Rural Fringe
Enrollment 874 15,109
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #836
Religious Affiliation Christ and Missionary Alliance Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website simpsonu.edu csusm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
Tuition (In State) $35,980 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $35,980 $17,622
Room & Board $11,900 $13,972
Avg Net Price $25,251 $10,463
Avg Grant Aid $27,704 $8,922
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 67%

Admission

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 14,774
Admitted - 14,064
Acceptance Rate 95.2%
Enrolled % 18.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.32
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 17/22
SAT Range 960/1185 950/1130
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Psychology (20%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Social Sciences (18%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (7%)

Outcomes

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
Graduation Rate 43% 49%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $38,200 $49,100
Making Student Loan Payments 67% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,668 $17,995
Median Loan Payment $172 $186

Diversity

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
% Men 39% 39%
% Women 61% 61%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 60% 30%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 12% 42%
% Native American 4% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 6%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 12% 5%

Students

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
% In-State 71% 98%
% Out-of-State 12% 1%

Campus

Simpson University California State University-San Marcos
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University San Marcos is larger than than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (15,109 students vs. 874 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University or California State University-San Marcos?

  • Simpson University is 526.6% more expensive to attend than California State University-San Marcos for in-state tuition ($35,980.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 104.2% higher at Simpson University than California State University San Marcos ($35,980.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University San Marcos than Simpson University ($10,463 vs. $25,251)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 17.4% lower than costs at California State University San Marcos ($11,900 vs. $13,972)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Simpson University than California State University San Marcos (99% vs. 67%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 210.5% larger than aid received California State University San Marcos ($27,704 vs. $8,922)

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson University or California State University-San Marcos? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between California State University-San Marcos or Simpson University .

  • The average SAT score at Simpson University (1001) is 46 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (955)
  • Incoming Simpson University students have at the same average ACT score (21) as students at California State University-San Marcos (21)
  • Accepted freshman Simpson University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32)

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

Which is better, Simpson University or California State University-San Marcos? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between California State University-San Marcos and Simpson University.

  • The graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos is higher than Simpson University (49% vs. 43%)
  • Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn on average $10,900 more per year than Simpson University graduates after ten years. ($49,100 vs. $38,200)
  • Simpson University students graduate with a $1,327 lower median federal student loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates. ($16,668 vs. $17,995)
  • Simpson University graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than California State University-San Marcos graduates. ($172 vs. $186)
  • More Simpson University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/