California State University-San Marcos vs West Coast University-Orange County
California State University-San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, CA. West Coast University-Orange County is a private for-profit university in Anaheim, CA. Both admit about 95% of applicants. Students pay an average of about $10,229 a year at California State University-San Marcos after aid, and about $32,879 at West Coast University-Orange County. About 61% of students graduate at West Coast University-Orange County, compared with 54% at California State University-San Marcos. Ten years after enrolling, West Coast University-Orange County alumni earn a median of about $102,672, against $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private (for-profit)
Location
San Marcos, CA
Anaheim, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
14,877
3,192
Acceptance rate
95%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.2–3.7
SAT (middle 50%)
950–1130
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
17–22
Not reported
Test policy
Test optional
Not reported
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$10,229
$32,879
Full cost / yr
$21,649
$34,887
In-state tuition
$8,082
$22,506
Out-of-state tuition
$20,682
$22,506
Application fee
$70
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$6,230
$29,867
$30k - $48k
$7,240
Not reported
$48k - $75k
$8,928
$34,887
$75k - $110k
$12,525
Not reported
Over $110k
$18,734
$34,887
Outcomes
Graduation rate
54%
61%
Freshman retention
79%
100%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$48,673
$96,114
Median earnings (10 yr)
$62,908
$102,672
Median debt at graduation
$17,350
$32,946
Student body
Pell grant recipients
43%
41%
First-generation students
48%
40%
International students
1%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 1
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California State University-San Marcos or West Coast University-Orange County harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 95% of applicants. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California State University-San Marcos or West Coast University-Orange County?
- California State University-San Marcos is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,229 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $32,879 at West Coast University-Orange County. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-San Marcos and West Coast University-Orange County?
- Before aid, California State University-San Marcos costs about $21,649 a year and West Coast University-Orange County about $34,887. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-San Marcos or West Coast University-Orange County?
- California State University-San Marcos. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,230 there, against about $29,867 at West Coast University-Orange County. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California State University-San Marcos or West Coast University-Orange County?
- California State University-San Marcos is the larger of the two, with about 14,877 undergraduates against 3,192 at West Coast University-Orange County.
- Does California State University-San Marcos or West Coast University-Orange County have a better graduation rate?
- West Coast University-Orange County has the higher graduation rate, at about 61% against 54% at California State University-San Marcos.
- Do graduates of California State University-San Marcos or West Coast University-Orange County earn more?
- West Coast University-Orange County alumni earn more on average: a median of about $102,672 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Related comparisons
California State University-San Marcos vs Stanford UniversityCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Santa Clara UniversityWest Coast University-Orange County vs Pomona CollegeWest Coast University-Orange County vs Claremont McKenna CollegeWest Coast University-Orange County vs Pitzer College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school