California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, California · Public · 95.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 80/100 · Strong Value
California State University-San Marcos
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,082/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,682/yr |
| Average net price | $10,229/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $40,916 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,908 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,500 |
| Median debt at graduation | $17,350 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $184 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 54.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 14,877 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,230 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,240 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,928 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,525 |
| $110,001+ | $18,734 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-San Marcos with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $70,900 | B |
| Psychology | $55,196 | C |
| Sociology | $53,287 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $120,196 | A |
| Political Science and Government | $55,418 | B |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,842 | C+ |
| Biology | $70,789 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $61,252 | C |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $53,568 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,289 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-San Marcos is $8,082/year ($20,682/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $10,229/year, or roughly $40,916 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $6,230/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $18,734/year.
The median graduate leaves with $17,350 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $184 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,908 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.43 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 72.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 76.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 68.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 69.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 95.1% |
| Enrollment | 14,877 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 42.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,046 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-San Marcos (this school) | 80 | $10,229 | $62,908 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | 80 | $15,543 | $62,203 |
| University of Kansas | 76 | $18,059 | $61,945 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| Western Washington University | 72 | $21,193 | $62,569 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State University-San Marcos delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $10,229 per year ($40,916 over four years), graduates earn a median of $62,908 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.5 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $17,350 is very manageable against $62,908 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.