About California State University-San Marcos

Founded in 1989, California State University-San Marcos. is a Public college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 12,567 full time undergraduate students, and 577 full time graduate students.

The California State University-San Marcos Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 24:1. There are 359 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at California State University-San Marcos include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate51%
Application Deadline
Application Fee55
SAT Range860-1060
ACT Range18-23

Admissions at CSUSM are considered Selective, with ,20% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 14 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at California State University-San Marcos.

8%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
27%
“Sometimes, but not often”
49%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
4%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
16%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
34%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
24%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
76%
“They keep regular office hours”
14%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
45%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
51%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
4%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
49%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
14%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
8%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
27%
“Sometimes, but not often”
49%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
4%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
16%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
34%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
24%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
76%
“They keep regular office hours”
14%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
45%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
51%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
4%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
49%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
14%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
8%
“We”re apathetic”
20%
“We know about current events and vote”
69%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
2%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
27%
“Sometimes, but not often”
49%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
14%
“All the time, including weekends”
4%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
35%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
61%
“I feel extremely safe”
16%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
50%
“We bought the gear”
34%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
24%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
53%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
12%
“We”re a very artistic group”
8%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
76%
“They keep regular office hours”
14%
“They”re always available”
4%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
45%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
51%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
4%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
49%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
33%
“We only party on weekends”
14%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
6%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
61%
“There might be people who do”
29%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
4%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    94 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 31 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    90 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    131 Students rated campus food 3 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    135 Students rated campus facilities 4.4 stars. 54 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    135 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    135 Students rated school activities 3.4 stars. 15 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    135 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 50 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    135 Students rated academics 4 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

California State University-San Marcos REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of California State University-San Marcos?

55 Students rated California State University-San Marcos

Rigoberto - 08/18/2022

The school is just breath taking with all the greening and all the different types of buildings there just breath taking. It’s truly is one beautiful campus. With you also stepping food into the campus you will be a good workout with all the stairs and enjoy the amazing views.

Caleb - 03/14/2021

i dont care

Cali - 06/01/2020

California State University of San Marcos is the best school I could have gone to. It is like it was meant to be. I just happened to end moving to the area after visiting 10 years prior. The facilities are clean. The faculty is friendly as well as knowledgeable. It is important for students to understand the vitality of their email access. The university divides up into smaller colleges. This is very intelligent, because it allows separate colleges to be looked after. There are many fun events here, and the vibes are wonderful from people. The dormitories are expensive and are probably primarily used by out of state students. More apartments are being built around, but those are probably going to be pricey. However, the Sprinter train runs all throughout the North County area and stops right on campus! Students can also obtain discounted Sprinter passes. I am very grateful I get to attend this school. They offer certificate programs that are manageable with school schedules due to flexibility. The arts building is always filled with student projects on display. Always a good feeling going through there. So many events happen which teach so much! The student life here is positive. Students love to hit the coffee bars and find a nice spot on campus to study. The library and tech labs also allow student usage late at night which is excellent. The security here is good and sketchy people don’t hang around the campus. The school takes an active role in denouncing hatred and uplifting groups that need support. They have all these special rooms that students who identify with or are just curious about may enter. Go Cougars!!!

Isabella - 04/14/2020

Cal State San Marcos has a close ache feel, close to high school but also large enough to where you see different faces on campus everyday. We are not Pac-12 or Big-10 school but I am so happy with my decision to study at CSUSM! The classes are a perfect size and the teachers are very resourceful. It is a great school to attend.

California State University-San Marcos FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at California State University-San Marcos?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for California State University-San Marcos is 51%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    A.J., you have one more year left of high school. You have made it this far. Do not quit now. You have been doing exceptionally well in all of your classes. Now it's time to step it up. Make sure you not only pass all the classes this year, but also take as much information from past classes to feed your brain. This will help you in deciding what you want to do in life and select your major. You want to start your college life quickly. Once you get accepted to the college you want to go to, do not hesitate to sign up for classes as soon as they open up for you. Make school a priority. I know friends, parties, get togethers, etc. are fun, but you have to focus. You will always have time for that. Get good grades in college. This will help you in qualifying for scholarships or even get you recognized to receive them. College is expesive, but if you get these good grades, you might get through college for free. Remember to be the best you can be and just have fun. All your hard work will pay you back.

    Read all 106 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The parking at our school can be a bit difficult.

    Read all 29 answers

  4. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    CSUSM is a great commuter school and good if you are looking for a relatively good education for less money.

    Read all 22 answers

  5. Describe the students at your school.

    CSUSM is a small campus, so you'll see some of the same people in your classes. Most classmates are energetic to be at college. We are all there for a higher education. It's voluntary to be there, as many professors say. So if you're in class, you WANT to learn, and take the information to your profession. People are friendly. I talk to many of my classmates in class and some have invited me to go out to lunch with them. Cal State San Marcos is a friendly campus.

    Read all 21 answers

  6. What's unique about your campus?

    The goals are set high to graduate. I feel I will walk away with outstanding education.

    Read all 21 answers

  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone looking for a commuter school- w/o the social ties of always being on campus and without the highschool drama.

    Read all 21 answers

  8. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That it is not as easy as it seems.

    Read all 20 answers

  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Someone who likes bigger class sizes and more athletic envolvment on campus.

    Read all 18 answers

  10. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Because there are an influx of science majors, enrolling in a science related course, like physics, chemistry, or biology, is next to impossible, and becasue I have transferring credit, but can't enroll in even a single science course, I am slowly running out of general education courses and run the risk of having to take classes that i don't need.

    Read all 14 answers

  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    I love that the school is fairly new. The campus is beautiful and the surrounding neighborhood is as well. We have so much access as far as computers, the vast library and the class size. Those factors make it desirable to me rather than your mega campus state schools.

    Read all 13 answers

  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for its business school, for having small classes, and for having a beautiful campus.

    Read all 11 answers

  13. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    nothing

    Read all 10 answers

Student Body

Students

61%

female

39%

male

12,567

Total Undergrad Enrollment

577

Total Grad Students

2%

Out-Of-State

96%

In-State

2%

International

Organizations

90

Student Organizations

2

Fraternities

3

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

9%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
10%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
42%
% White or Caucasian
29%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

77% of students attending California State University-San Marcos receive some sort of financial aid. 48% were awarded federal grants. While 36% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$18,543

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,764

Books and Supplies

$13,240

Room and Board

33,547

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$5,417
$30 - $48K
$6,842
$48 - $75K
$10,957
$75 - $110K
$15,653
$110K & UP
$17,564

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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