Life Pacific University vs California State University-San Marcos
Life Pacific University is a private university in San Dimas, CA. California State University-San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, CA. California State University-San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants and Life Pacific University about 96%, making California State University-San Marcos the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $10,229 a year at California State University-San Marcos after aid, and about $20,898 at Life Pacific University. About 54% of students graduate at California State University-San Marcos, compared with 48% at Life Pacific University. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-San Marcos alumni earn a median of about $62,908, against $43,299 for Life Pacific University.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
San Dimas, CA
San Marcos, CA
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
456
14,877
Acceptance rate
96%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
930–1085
950–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
16–25
17–22
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$20,898
$10,229
Full cost / yr
$35,062
$21,649
In-state tuition
$22,118
$8,082
Out-of-state tuition
$22,118
$20,682
Application fee
$50
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,786
$6,230
$30k - $48k
$18,984
$7,240
$48k - $75k
$18,255
$8,928
$75k - $110k
$23,108
$12,525
Over $110k
$25,877
$18,734
Outcomes
Graduation rate
48%
54%
Freshman retention
73%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$35,814
$48,673
Median earnings (10 yr)
$43,299
$62,908
Median debt at graduation
$22,395
$17,350
Student body
Pell grant recipients
54%
43%
First-generation students
37%
48%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
May 1
Dec 1
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 Life Pacific University or California State University-San Marcos harder to get into?
- California State University-San Marcos is harder to get into. It admits about 95% of applicants, compared with 96% at Life Pacific University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Life Pacific University or California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,229 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $20,898 at Life Pacific University. 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 Life Pacific University and California State University-San Marcos?
- Before aid, California State University-San Marcos costs about $21,649 a year and Life Pacific University about $35,062. 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, Life Pacific University or California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,230 there, against about $16,786 at Life Pacific University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Life Pacific University or California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos is the larger of the two, with about 14,877 undergraduates against 456 at Life Pacific University.
- Does Life Pacific University or California State University-San Marcos have a better graduation rate?
- California State University-San Marcos has the higher graduation rate, at about 54% against 48% at Life Pacific University.
- Do graduates of Life Pacific University or California State University-San Marcos earn more?
- California State University-San Marcos alumni earn more on average: a median of about $62,908 ten years after enrolling, against about $43,299 for Life Pacific University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Life Pacific University and California State University-San Marcos require SAT or ACT scores?
- Life Pacific University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. California State University-San Marcos is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Life Pacific University and California State University-San Marcos look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1085 at Life Pacific University and 950–1130 at California State University-San Marcos. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Life Pacific University vs California Institute of TechnologyLife Pacific University vs Minerva UniversityLife Pacific University vs Harvey Mudd CollegeCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Stanford UniversityCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Santa Clara University
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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