Overview of California State University San Marcos

California State University-San Marcos is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 58%. The institution offers undergraduates the choice of 60 programs, and a robust student/faculty ratio back students and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 14,504 (13,962 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 38 percent male/62 percent female
• 80 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $7,648 (in-state); $16,576 (out-of-state)
• Books: $2,000
• Room and Board: $13,000
• Other Expenses: $3,208
• Total Cost: $25,856 (in-state); $34,784 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 82 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 73 percent
  • Loans: 37 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,581
  • Loans: $6,266

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 77 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 3 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 16 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 55 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball
• The CSUSM Cougars play in the NCAA Division II, within the California Collegiate Athletic Association

Overview of California State University San Marcos Admissions

Cal State San Marcos, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a selective admissions process. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

2019 Admission

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Cal State San Marcos had an acceptance rate of 58%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 58 students gained admission, making CSUSM’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal State San Marcos requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 94% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State San Marcos’ admitted students scored in the bottom 29% on the SAT. For the reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to CSUSM scored between 480 and 580, while 25% scored below 480, and 25% scored over 580. In the math section, 50% of students who gained admission scored 480 and 560, while 25% scored below 480, and 25% scored over 560. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1140 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal State San Marcos.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Cal State San Marcos requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 28% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State San Marcos’ admitted students scored in the bottom 33% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to CSUSM received a cumulative ACT score between 17 and 22, while 25% scored over 22, and 25% scored below 17.

GPA

The average high school GPA for Cal State San Marcos freshmen was 3.38 in 2018. This data suggests that successful applicants to CSUSM have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal State San Marcos, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal State San Marcos is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Texas at El Paso, University of California, Merced, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kean University, California State University Los Angeles

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal State San Marcos, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Washington State University, East Carolina University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal State San Marcos. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University

Applying to Cal State San Marcos

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.csusm.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.csusm.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/index.html

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.csusm.edu/gsr/graduatestudies/admissions/index.html

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/graduate