Loyola Marymount University vs California State University-San Marcos
Loyola Marymount University is a private university in Los Angeles, CA. California State University-San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, CA. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants and California State University-San Marcos about 95%, making Loyola Marymount University 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 $48,381 at Loyola Marymount University. About 79% of students graduate at Loyola Marymount University, compared with 54% at California State University-San Marcos. Ten years after enrolling, Loyola Marymount University alumni earn a median of about $78,349, against $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos.
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Los Angeles, CA
San Marcos, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
7,094
14,877
Acceptance rate
45%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–4
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
1260–1430
950–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
28–32
17–22
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$48,381
$10,229
Full cost / yr
$83,943
$21,649
In-state tuition
$62,357
$8,082
Out-of-state tuition
$62,357
$20,682
Application fee
$60
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$32,268
$6,230
$30k - $48k
$34,535
$7,240
$48k - $75k
$34,351
$8,928
$75k - $110k
$40,557
$12,525
Over $110k
$58,371
$18,734
Outcomes
Graduation rate
79%
54%
Freshman retention
89%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$62,763
$48,673
Median earnings (10 yr)
$78,349
$62,908
Median debt at graduation
$19,500
$17,350
Student body
Pell grant recipients
13%
43%
First-generation students
22%
48%
International students
9%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
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 Loyola Marymount University or California State University-San Marcos harder to get into?
- Loyola Marymount University is harder to get into. It admits about 45% of applicants, compared with 95% at California State University-San Marcos. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Loyola Marymount 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 $48,381 at Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount University and California State University-San Marcos?
- Before aid, California State University-San Marcos costs about $21,649 a year and Loyola Marymount University about $83,943. 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, Loyola Marymount 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 $32,268 at Loyola Marymount University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Loyola Marymount University or California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos is the larger of the two, with about 14,877 undergraduates against 7,094 at Loyola Marymount University.
- Does Loyola Marymount University or California State University-San Marcos have a better graduation rate?
- Loyola Marymount University has the higher graduation rate, at about 79% against 54% at California State University-San Marcos.
- Do graduates of Loyola Marymount University or California State University-San Marcos earn more?
- Loyola Marymount University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,349 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Loyola Marymount University and California State University-San Marcos require SAT or ACT scores?
- Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount University and California State University-San Marcos look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1260–1430 at Loyola Marymount University and 950–1130 at California State University-San Marcos. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Loyola Marymount University vs Stanford UniversityLoyola Marymount University vs Santa Clara UniversityLoyola Marymount University vs University of San DiegoCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Stanford UniversityCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs Santa Clara UniversityCalifornia State University-San Marcos vs University of San Diego
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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