California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CAPublicRank 1119 of 1,732Traditional rank 729 of 1,156
Freshman grant vs later years
Average grant per recipient, IPEDS SFA 2022-23.
Averages across all recipients, not a prediction for one student. Continuing students include transfers and part-time students. Data is about two years old. How this is calculated.
Average net price by family income (2022-23)
| Family income | Avg net price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $6,812 |
| $30–48k | $7,246 |
| $48–75k | $9,980 |
| $75–110k | $13,773 |
| $110k+ | $19,772 |
First-time, full-time students receiving Title IV aid, in-state. Source: IPEDS SFA 2022-23.
Published cost (IPEDS)
| Tuition and fees (in-state), 2022-23 | $7,733 |
| Tuition and fees (in-state), 2023-24 | $7,739 |
| Change | $6 (+0.1%) |
| Tuition and fees (out-of-state), 2023-24 | $19,619 |
| On-campus room and board, 2023-24 | $14,152 |
Source: IPEDS Institutional Characteristics, academic years 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Latest published cost (state report)
| 2026-27 systemwide tuition + campus fees (resident) | $9,334 |
| 2026-27 estimated cost of attendance, living on campus | $30,866 |
Source: California State University, 2026-27 estimated undergraduate cost of attendance (preliminary), calstate.edu.
Tuition and fees trend (in-state)
Published tuition and required fees, +0.3% from first to last year shown. Source: IPEDS Institutional Characteristics 2021-22 and 2023-24 files.
Average net price trend
Average net price for first-time, full-time students receiving grant aid, in-state. Source: IPEDS SFA 2022-23.
Outcomes and aid profile
| Bachelor's graduation rate within 6 years | 54% |
| Full-time freshman retention (return for year 2) | 75% |
| Freshmen receiving Pell Grants | 47% |
| Freshmen taking federal loans | 29% |
| Average federal loan (freshmen who borrow) | $4,896 |
| Aid drop one year earlier (2021-22) | $728 |
Sources: IPEDS Graduation Rates 2023 (DRVGR), Fall Enrollment 2023 (retention), SFA 2022-23 and 2021-22. "Freshmen" = first-time, full-time undergraduates.
Compare with other colleges Compare with the two most similar
More: all CA colleges · how aid changes after year one · lowest net price for low-income families · 2026-27 state cost reports
Similar colleges
| College | Freshman grant | Drop |
|---|---|---|
| California State University-Chico | $10,331 | $226 |
| California State University-San Bernardino | $10,421 | $67 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $10,441 | $506 |
| California State University-Fullerton | $10,445 | $790 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | $10,046 | −$477 |
Same state and control, closest average freshman grant. All colleges in this state.
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