University of West Alabama vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL 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 West Alabama based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 6,820 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of West Alabama 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: University of West Alabama 19:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

University of West Alabama vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama ($10,241 vs. $13,954).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 41.8% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($8,230 vs. $14,152).
• University of West Alabama is 36% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $2,908 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.9% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at University of West Alabama (about $592 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $20,090.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at California State University San Marcos (93% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 23.1% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($11,123 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 50 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming California State University-San Marcos students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (19 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

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

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $8,494 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($17,995 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($186 vs. $273).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 36%)

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.