California State University - San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas, United States
- Cost of Living$ 17,856
- Tuition Fee From$ 12,579
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength14,643
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
California State University San Marcos is a public university located in San Marcos, California, USA. It was founded in 1989 as the 20th campus of the California State University system. CSUSM has a student population of approximately 16,000 students, with a diverse mix of undergraduate and graduate students. The university is known for its commitment to promoting diversity, social justice, and community engagement.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programmes in over 100 fields of study. There are 43 undergraduate and 24 graduate programmes along with 8 credential courses and 1 joint-doctorate programme. Some of the popular programmes here are Health professions, Social Sciences, Business, Management, Marketing, Family and Consumer Sciences. All of these courses are organised through its four colleges, which are:
- College of Business Administration
- College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences
- College of Education, Health and Human Services
CSUSM has been recognized for its excellence in teaching and research. It is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, as over a third of its students identify as Hispanic or Latino. The university has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, ranking among the top universities in the nation for sustainability practices.
Ranking
US News and World Report of 2024 has placed the university at #28 in Regional Universities West. San Marcos was also ranked #13 in Public Schools along with #11 in their Top Peformers on Social Mobility category.
- #1697 - In the World - EduRank 2024
- #468 - In North America - EduRank 2024
- #421 - In the United States - EduRank 2024
- #42 - In California - EduRank 2024
- #200 - Best Value Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #626 - Best Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #153 - Best Hispanic-Serving Institutions in America - Niche 2024
Course-wise Rankings
- #495 - For Military Science - EduRank 2024
- #517 - For Social Work - EduRank 2024
- #242 - Best Colleges for Psychology in America - Niche 2024
- #217 - Best Colleges for Anthropology and Sociology in America - Niche 2024
- #260 - Best Colleges for Computer Science in America
- #284 - Best Colleges for Political Science in America
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#1401
-
2023
-
-
Facilities
The California State University San Marcos campus is located on the foothills of San Marcos. It has two campuses headquartered in San Marcos and Temecula which are easily reachable to the city by local transit. Students also obtain a travel permit and can take advantage of transit discounts. Moreover, there are 100 student organisations to participate in on-campus such as cultural/religious clubs, service clubs (volunteering), academic clubs (often tied to a student major or minor), Special interests (Anime and Gaming, Theater, Improv, Ocean Conservation, Sustainability, Border Angels, Students for Life, Student Veterans Organization, Transitions Collective, etc.)
Library - It is a resource for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to access a wide range of resources and services, including books, journals, databases, and more. This free-standing library offers a variety of services to help users find and access the resources they need, including research assistance, interlibrary loans, and access to technology such as computers, printers, and scanners. The library also provides spaces for study and collaboration, including group study rooms and a quiet study area.
Residential Services - The university has two on-campus housing options: University Village Apartments (UVA) and The QUAD-in North City. The QUAD Apartments are an attached living system for students in a modern neighbourhood located directly across the street from the new school building. The rooms are accessible through a key card and include laundry facilities, a pool, a fitness centre, a fire pit, and a BBQ grill.
Dining Facilities - Campus Way Cafe is a neighbourhood dining facility where students enjoy a nutritious and enjoyable lunch with friends as part of their school experience. The dining programme offers vegan and vegetarian selections. Also, a fresh salad station, as well as a grill, pizza station, pasta station, and to-go options are available. HillTop Bistro Grille has a wide range of options, from nutritious to indulgent. Hilltop Bistro Grille offers a variety of burgers, including beef, chicken, turkey, and vegetarian burgers, as well as fish. Traditional fries, seasoned potato wedges, slaws, and side salads round out the menu.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
California State University San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 95% for international students in 2024. The university follows an open admission policy and therefor accepts 95 out of every 100 applications received. Therefore getting admitted here is quite easy and possible!
California State University - San Marcos Entry Requirements
All students applying here have to note that the admission process does not change at any level. The university has a mandatory application fee payment of USD 70 which needs to be done for completing the application. International students need to have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a minimum average scale of 4.0. Each applicant must provide the following:
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Students wishing to apply for their undergraduate programmes must make sure that they have the following documents in hand for completing the application:
- Official Academic Transcripts of High School
- Letter (s) of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Minimum English Test Scores - TOEFL (61) or IELTS (6.0)
Graduate Admission Requirements
Programmes at postgraduate level require students to have a bachelor’s degree and work experience lasting for 2 years, given below are certain documents which students need to complete their application:
- Official Academic Transcripts of College
- Letter (s) of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Two passport-sized photographs
- CAS statement
- Minimum English Test Scores - TOEFL (80) or IELTS (6.0)
- Test scores or GRE/ GMAT if asked by the university
- Resume or CV showing work experience
California State University - San Marcos Fees
The fees for its various postgraduate and undergraduate programmes is given below:
- Master of Science [M.S] Nursing - USD 16,264 /Yr
- Master of Public Health [M.P.H] - USD 12,579 /Yr
- Bachelor of Science [B.S] Mathematics - USD 17,206 /Yr
- Master of Science [M.S] Computer Science - USD 16,264 /Yr
- Bachelor of Science [B.S] Computer Science - USD 17,206 /Yr
Placements
The Office of Recruiting and Outreach is in charge of placement programmes at this institution. Prospective students are encouraged to register and attend high school and community college fairs. Placements are mostly available to students majoring in Commerce, Psychology, and Social Sciences. Within six months following graduation, the university boasts a 78% job placement rate. Students can also visit the CSUSM Career Centre to learn about internships and careers in the United States following graduation.
Scholarship
The average amount of financial aid received is $11,197. 90% of the total students who apply receive financial aid from the university. One of these scholarships is:
- #YouAreWelcomeHere - This is introduced specifically to help international students. It is renewable based on Satisfactory Academic Progress maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.
No matter your field of study, numerous scholarship opportunities are offered by both the university and external organisations like UniScholars. International students can significantly alleviate the financial strain of studying abroad with the help of external scholarships. Consider applying for scholarships to pursue studies at California State University - San Marcos via UniScholars.
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the California State University - San Marcos. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the California State University - San Marcos. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
San Diego County ranks as one of the most beautiful areas in the United States to reside in. The rising high-tech industry and other employers have to offer to make students happy to study here. San Marcos is the city which houses California State University - San Marcos. It is located in North County and has a population of about 100,000 people. Although it is not near the beach, Lake San Marcos is a water body that's close to the community. San Diego County is well-known for its craft brewing scene, and San Marcos is home to one of the best. Rip Current Brewing has been named one of San Diego County's Top 10 Breweries. Including its distinct flavour, this award-winning handmade beer will satisfy students' hunger. When it comes to living in this city, it might depend on the following factors:
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$912 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$992 |
|
Transportation |
$107 |
|
Food Cost |
$287 |
|
Utility Cost |
$162 |
|
Entertainment |
$34 |
|
Groceries |
$40 |
|
Clothes |
$108 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
$1,730 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
$1,810 |
|
Annual Cost Of Living |
$20,760 |