University of Redlands vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Redlands in Redlands, 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 University of Redlands based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 3,087 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Redlands is located in Redlands, CA (Small City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Redlands 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: University of Redlands 10:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

University of Redlands vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Redlands 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 University of Redlands ($10,241 vs. $28,482).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 22.3% lower than at University of Redlands ($14,152 vs. $18,208).
• University of Redlands is 653.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $52,796 more per year; $60,878.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 194.4% higher at University of Redlands than at California State University San Marcos (about $40,196 more per year; $60,878.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Redlands than at California State University San Marcos (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Redlands students is 332.7% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($48,134 vs. $11,123).

University of Redlands vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Redlands 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 University of Redlands.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Redlands (1230) is 190 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming University of Redlands 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: University of Redlands 1107/1350; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Redlands 21/28; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Redlands - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Redlands Jul 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Redlands students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than University of Redlands (82.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.9% at University of Redlands vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

University of Redlands vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Redlands 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).

• University of Redlands's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Redlands earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than California State University-San Marcos graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $49,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $10,505 lower median loan debt than University of Redlands graduates ($17,995 vs. $28,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Redlands graduates ($186 vs. $294).
• More University of Redlands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State University-San Marcos students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.