San Jose Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare William Jessup University in Rocklin, 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 San Jose Christian College based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 1,865 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• William Jessup University is located in Rocklin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• William Jessup 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: William Jessup University 10:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

San Jose Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose Christian College 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 San Jose Christian College ($10,241 vs. $29,679).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jessup University are 3.9% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($13,606 vs. $14,152).
• William Jessup University is 359.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $29,068 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.6% higher at San Jose Christian College than at California State University San Marcos (about $16,468 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jessup University than at California State University San Marcos (98% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Jessup University students is 116.3% larger than aid received by California State University San Marcos students ($24,059 vs. $11,123).

San Jose Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose Christian College 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 San Jose Christian College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at William Jessup University (1130) is 90 points higher than at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: William Jessup University 1041/1228; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose Christian College - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Jose Christian College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at California State University-San Marcos (3.32).
• California State University-San Marcos has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than San Jose Christian College (93.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.6% at San Jose Christian College vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

San Jose Christian College vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose Christian College 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).

• William Jessup University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University San Marcos's (49%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than San Jose Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $3,505 lower median loan debt than San Jose Christian College graduates ($17,995 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose Christian College graduates ($186 vs. $222).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose Christian College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 61%)

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.