San Francisco State University vs California State University-San Marcos
San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco, CA, and California State University-San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, CA. California State University-San Marcos is the more selective of the two, admitting about 95% of applicants against 96% at San Francisco State University. California State University-San Marcos is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $10,229 a year against $12,278 at San Francisco State University. About 54% of students graduate at California State University-San Marcos, compared with 50% at San Francisco State University. Ten years after enrolling, San Francisco State University alumni earn a median of about $68,077, against $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
San Francisco, CA
San Marcos, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
18,639
14,877
Acceptance rate
96%
95%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.13–3.63
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
930–1130
950–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
16–23
17–22
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,278
$10,229
Full cost / yr
$26,488
$21,649
In-state tuition
$7,950
$8,082
Out-of-state tuition
$20,550
$20,682
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,341
$6,230
$30k - $48k
$9,867
$7,240
$48k - $75k
$11,825
$8,928
$75k - $110k
$14,556
$12,525
Over $110k
$22,523
$18,734
Outcomes
Graduation rate
50%
54%
Freshman retention
83%
79%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$52,650
$48,673
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,077
$62,908
Median debt at graduation
$15,371
$17,350
Student body
Pell grant recipients
42%
43%
First-generation students
48%
48%
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Apr 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 San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State 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, San Francisco State 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 $12,278 at San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State University and California State University-San Marcos?
- Before aid, California State University-San Marcos costs about $21,649 a year and San Francisco State University about $26,488. 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, San Francisco State 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 $9,341 at San Francisco State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, San Francisco State University or California State University-San Marcos?
- San Francisco State University is the larger of the two, with about 18,639 undergraduates against 14,877 at California State University-San Marcos.
- Does San Francisco State 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 50% at San Francisco State University.
- Do graduates of San Francisco State University or California State University-San Marcos earn more?
- San Francisco State University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $68,077 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do San Francisco State University and California State University-San Marcos require SAT or ACT scores?
- San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State University and California State University-San Marcos look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 930–1130 at San Francisco State University and 950–1130 at California State University-San Marcos. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
San Francisco State University vs University of California-Los AngelesSan Francisco State University vs University of Southern CaliforniaSan Francisco State University vs University of California-BerkeleyCalifornia 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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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school