2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$14,296
Net Price
93%
Admitted
18%
Enrolled
59%
Graduation Rate
25/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
California State University-San Marcos
is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 16,255. In 2021, there were 392 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #63 in California and ranks #950 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master
Psychology Graduates
392
Total Enrollment
16,255
Type
Public, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Ranking for California State University-San Marcos
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
California Rank
Combining ranking factors for 82 schools that offer psychology degrees in California, California State University-San Marcos ranks #63.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., California State University-San Marcos ranks #950.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, California State University-San Marcos offers General Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers General Psychology and Social Work.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA |
| General Psychology | 325 | 9 |
| Social Work | – | 58 |
| Total Graduates | 325 | 67 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 13,986 students applied to the California State University-San Marcos. The university admitted 93% and 18% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for California universities is 21,883. On average, all California institutions admit 64% and 22% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of California State University-San Marcos students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 79%. Compared to all California four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.
The overall graduation rate for California State University-San Marcos is 59%, compared to 66% for all California universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 4%.
Compare CSUSM to California Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of California State University-San Marcos to the average of all California four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
CSUSM
13,986
Applicants
93%
Percent Admitted
18%
Percent Enrolled
79%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
59%
Graduation Rate
CA Colleges
21,883
Applicants
64%
Percent Admitted
22%
Percent Enrolled
72%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
66%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 394 or 45% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 482 or 55% part-time faculty members employed at California State University-San Marcos. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 394 or 45%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
CSUSM
25 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
45%
Percent Full-Time
55%
Percent Part-Time
45%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
CA Colleges
19 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
40%
Percent Full-Time
60%
Percent Part-Time
39%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at California State University-San Marcos the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $5,742, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,118.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $7,176 and the average cost for graduate fees is $1,985.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend California State University-San Marcos in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for California State University-San Marcos | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $13,150 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $2,658 |
| Total Living Expenses | $15,808 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $5,742 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,118 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $22,668 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $1,985 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $9,161 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend California State University-San Marcos is $14,296. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend California State University-San Marcos presented by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| $0 – $30,000 | $9,397 | $10,788 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $10,348 | $11,435 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $14,309 | $15,100 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $18,439 | $19,397 |
| $110,001 and more | $21,551 | $22,843 |
Compare California State University-San Marcos to all California universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
CSUSM
$22,668
Cost to Attend
$8,538
Average Financial Aid
77%
Percent Receiving Aid
$14,296
Net Price
CA Colleges
$33,186
Cost to Attend
$9,615
Average Financial Aid
80%
Percent Receiving Aid
$14,526
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 1,639 or 77%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 9,673 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $8,538.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 9,673 | $8,538 |
| Pell Grants | 6,802 | $4,718 |
| Federal Student Loans | 3,988 | $6,496 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the California State University-San Marcos to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
CSUSM
9,673
Grant or Scholarship Aid
47%
Grants or Scholarships
6,802
Number of Pell Grants
33%
Pell Grants
3,988
Federal Student Loans
19%
Federal Student Loans
CA Colleges
6,293
Grant or Scholarship Aid
60%
Grants or Scholarships
3,062
Number of Pell Grants
29%
Pell Grants
1,114
Federal Student Loans
11%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for California.
