Stanford University vs California State University-San Marcos
Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA. California State University-San Marcos is a public university in San Marcos, CA. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants and California State University-San Marcos about 95%, making Stanford 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 $13,807 at Stanford University. About 92% of students graduate at Stanford University, compared with 54% at California State University-San Marcos. Ten years after enrolling, Stanford University alumni earn a median of about $124,080, against $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos.
* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
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 Stanford University or California State University-San Marcos harder to get into?
- Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% 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, Stanford 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 $13,807 at Stanford 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 Stanford University and California State University-San Marcos?
- Before aid, California State University-San Marcos costs about $21,649 a year and Stanford University about $87,833. 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, Stanford University or California State University-San Marcos?
- Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 there, against about $6,230 at California State University-San Marcos. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Stanford University or California State University-San Marcos?
- California State University-San Marcos is the larger of the two, with about 14,877 undergraduates against 7,554 at Stanford University.
- Does Stanford University or California State University-San Marcos have a better graduation rate?
- Stanford University has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 54% at California State University-San Marcos.
- Do graduates of Stanford University or California State University-San Marcos earn more?
- Stanford University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $124,080 ten years after enrolling, against about $62,908 for California State University-San Marcos. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Stanford University and California State University-San Marcos require SAT or ACT scores?
- Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores. California State University-San Marcos is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Stanford University and California State University-San Marcos look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1510–1580 at Stanford University and 950–1130 at California State University-San Marcos. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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