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California State University-San Marcos
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$7,739
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
95.7%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
55.3%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$62,908
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
California State University-San Marcos is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in San Marcos, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $7,739, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 55.3% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$30,956
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
0.9 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$32,908
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$298,124
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$627,204
Long-term projected return on your education investment
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at California State University-San Marcos is $17,350.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
0
Burglary
0
Theft
0
Assault
0
Robbery
0
Rape
0
Arson
0
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$7,739
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
74.8%
Success
55.3%
In-State Cost
$7,739
Age 25+ Students
17.8%
Carnegie Class
Master's: Larger
Working at 6yr
3,697 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.