SCI-Arc vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, 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 SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture 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: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

SCI-Arc vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc ($10,241 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 3.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,600 vs. $14,152).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 594.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $48,080 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.6% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University San Marcos (about $35,480 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (71% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 283.2% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($42,627 vs. $11,123).

SCI-Arc vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or California State University-San Marcos? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-San Marcos and SCI-Arc.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 90 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCI-Arc - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

SCI-Arc vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc and California State University-San Marcos? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $24,755 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($17,995 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $256 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($186 vs. $442).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.