California · College profile
California State University-San Marcos: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs
California State University-San Marcos is a public four-year university in San Marcos, California, enrolling about 14,877 undergraduates. It admits roughly 95% of applicants, which makes it largely open-access relative to four-year colleges nationally.
SAT and ACT scores at California State University-San Marcos
California State University-San Marcos does not report SAT or ACT score ranges in the most recent federal data, which usually means a test-optional or test-free policy with too few submitted scores to publish. Check the admissions office for the current cycle before deciding whether to send scores.
Admissions and selectivity
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 95.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,877 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 24:1 |
| Setting | Suburb |
| Control | Public |
Cost and financial aid
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $8,082 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $20,682 |
| Room and board | $14,152 |
| Average net price (first-year students) | $10,229 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 42.6% |
| Students taking federal loans | 28.3% |
| Median federal loan debt at graduation | $13,500 |
Net price is the number that matters: $10,229 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.
Graduation and earnings outcomes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduation rate (6-year) | 54.6% |
| First-year retention | 78.6% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $62,908 |
| Students who are first-generation | 48.3% |
Most popular majors
- Social sciences — 18% of bachelor's degrees
- Business & marketing — 16% of bachelor's degrees
- Health professions — 11% of bachelor's degrees
- Psychology — 9% of bachelor's degrees
Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.
How your score compares
Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside California State University-San Marcos's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.
Start a free practice test →Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos admits about 95.1% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.
Does California State University-San Marcos require SAT or ACT scores?
The most recent federal data lists California State University-San Marcos's testing policy as "Considered". Policies change yearly, so confirm with the admissions office for your application cycle.
How much does California State University-San Marcos cost?
Published tuition and fees are $8,082 in-state and $20,682 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $10,229 after grant aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.
FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →