Campus Identity
California State University-San Marcos is a mid-size public university in San Marcos, CA. Approximately 14,877 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 95% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 10 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 58/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
At a Glance
California State University-San Marcos is a mid-size public university in San Marcos, CA. Approximately 14,877 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 95% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 10 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 58/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.
Campus Lifestyle
Athletics
NCAA D2
California Collegiate Athletic Association
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Suburban setting
Beach Access
10 miles
Encinitas, CA
Weather
Hot Climate
63°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
California
California
California
Nearest Beach
Encinitas, CA
Ocean access within 10.1 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · San Marcos, CA
Station: ESCONDIDO NUMBER 2 · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Fees | $1,985 | $1,985 |
| Room & Board | $15,426 | $15,426 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $23,153 | $35,033 |
These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.
Calculate Your Net PriceFields of Study
84 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is California State University-San Marcos located?
California State University-San Marcos is located in San Marcos, CA. The main campus address is 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 95%, making it accessible. Out of 19,721 applicants, 18,755 were admitted in the most recent year. 14,877 students enrolled.
How much does it cost to attend California State University-San Marcos?
For the 2023–24 academic year, California State University-San Marcos charges $5,742/year for in-state students and $17,622/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($15,426/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $19,607/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use California State University-San Marcos's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for California State University-San Marcos?
The undergraduate application fee at California State University-San Marcos is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does California State University-San Marcos have college sports?
Yes — California State University-San Marcos competes at the NCAA D2 level in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.
Is California State University-San Marcos the right fit for me?
Whether California State University-San Marcos is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (95% admit rate), cost ($17,622/year out-of-state), campus culture in San Marcos, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh California State University-San Marcos against similar schools side-by-side.
Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with California State University-San Marcos directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- San Marcos, CA
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's
- NCAA
- NCAA D2
- Conference
- California Collegiate Athletic Association
- School Year Weather
- Hot · 63°F avg
- App Fee
- $70
- On Campus Safety Score
- 58/100
- Nearest Airport
- Carlsbad, CA (CLD) · 7 mialso OCN (13 mi), NKX (18 mi)
Location
San Marcos, CA