Simpson University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Simpson University in Redding, 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 Simpson University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Simpson University is located in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Simpson University 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: Simpson University 17:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Simpson University 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 Simpson University ($10,241 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 15.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($11,900 vs. $14,152).
• Simpson University is 391.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $31,626 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92% higher at Simpson University than at California State University San Marcos (about $19,026 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at California State University San Marcos (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 133.2% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($25,937 vs. $11,123).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Simpson University 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 Simpson University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Simpson University (1070) is 30 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Simpson University students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson University 960/1185; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Simpson University 21/28; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Simpson University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Simpson University Aug 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• 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).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than Simpson University (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.2% at Simpson University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for Simpson University 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 Simpson University's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $1,327 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($16,668 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.