Cost of California State University-San Marcos
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $23,131 |
|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $8,454 |
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| Tuition and fees, out-of-state | $21,774 |
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| Housing and food (on campus) | $15,320 |
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| Books and supplies | $1,086 |
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| Average net price after aid | $10,939 |
|---|
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|
| $0–30,000 | $7,618 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $7,756 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $9,457 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $12,320 |
| $110,001+ | $20,770 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships (in-state students). Get your own estimate with California State University-San Marcos's net price calculator ↗.
Majors and programs at California State University-San Marcos
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (51)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 572 | $110,156 | $25,000 |
| Computer Engineering | 70 | $81,770 | $16,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | — | $70,925 | $16,826 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | — | $63,316 | — |
| Biotechnology | 50 | $63,252 | $15,755 |
| Computer Science | 347 | $60,771 | $14,094 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | — | $58,814 | $12,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | — | $56,828 | $18,000 |
| Economics | 80 | $56,089 | $17,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1,009 | $54,287 | $14,958 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 59 | $53,599 | — |
| Business/Commerce | — | $52,352 | $14,375 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | — | $51,830 | $17,462 |
| Marketing | — | $50,413 | $15,299 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 44 | $48,586 | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | — | $47,535 | $10,595 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 384 | $47,149 | $15,467 |
| Political Science and Government | 131 | $44,035 | $13,738 |
| Sociology | 540 | $42,251 | $16,281 |
| Biology | 349 | $41,912 | $20,629 |
| Social Sciences | 102 | $38,828 | $15,769 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 328 | $38,673 | $15,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 92 | $38,666 | $14,250 |
| Criminology | 422 | $38,371 | $11,750 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 262 | $37,100 | $15,818 |
| Psychology | 623 | $35,069 | $15,290 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 208 | $34,712 | $14,500 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | — | $32,654 | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 156 | $31,526 | $15,000 |
| History | 142 | $31,396 | $18,625 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 301 | $30,938 | $15,000 |
| Anthropology | 35 | $30,664 | — |
| English Language and Literature | 132 | $29,454 | $18,383 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 128 | $28,572 | $22,000 |
| Applied Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Chemistry | 25 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | — | — | $17,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 11 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 39 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 18 | — | — |
| Fire Protection | 31 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 4 | — | — |
| International Business | — | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 12 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 7 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 56 | — | $17,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 5 | — | — |
| Music | 17 | — | — |
| Physics | 29 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (24)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 68 | $132,068 | $53,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 108 | $98,028 | $35,500 |
| Biotechnology | 36 | $92,122 | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 61 | $79,234 | $73,890 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 33 | $75,598 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | $75,536 | — |
| Social Work | 132 | $68,481 | $38,808 |
| Public Health | 133 | $58,518 | $36,177 |
| Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education | 36 | — | — |
| Biology | 16 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 1 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 41 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 29 | — | — |
| Education | 43 | — | — |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | — | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 13 | — | — |
| History | 17 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 14 | — | — |
| Psychology | 24 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 11 | — | — |
| Sociology | 22 | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 23 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 16 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 28 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (11)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 2 | — | — |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 7 | — | — |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | — | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | — | — | — |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | — | — | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | — | — | — |
Similar colleges in California
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|
| California State University-San Bernardino | San Bernardino | $3,946 | 94% | $61,951 |
| California State University-Chico | Chico | $14,157 | 93% | $70,012 |
| California State University-Dominguez Hills | Carson | $7,244 | 93% | $62,587 |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | Santa Cruz | $18,549 | 66% | $73,362 |
| San Francisco State University | San Francisco | $9,803 | 96% | $73,299 |
| California State University-Los Angeles | Los Angeles | $2,385 | 91% | $62,555 |
| California State University-Fresno | Fresno | $5,418 | 95% | $62,756 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo | $18,832 | 31% | $96,304 |
All colleges in California →
Frequently asked questions
What is California State University-San Marcos's acceptance rate?
California State University-San Marcos admits 95% of applicants.
How much does California State University-San Marcos cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $23,131 a year (tuition and fees: $8,454 in-state, $21,774 out-of-state). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $10,939 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $7,618.
How much do California State University-San Marcos graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $67,217 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 75th of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing ($110,156 a year after graduation).
What is California State University-San Marcos's graduation rate?
55% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 79% of first-year students return for a second year.