California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, California
California State University-San Marcos is a public institution in San Marcos, California with 14,174 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $7,739 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 54.2%, median earnings of $62,908, and median federal debt of $17,350.
$7,739 is lower than the state average of $10,571.
54.2% is lower than the state average of 55.0%.
$62,908 is higher than the state average of $43,430.
About California State University-San Marcos
| Location | San Marcos, California |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.csusm.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $7,739 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,619 |
| Total Enrollment | 14,174 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95.7% |
| Graduation Rate | 54.2% |
| Retention Rate | 74.8% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $62,908 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,350 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $183 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 43.6% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 29.6% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
43.6% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 29.6% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at California State University-San Marcos depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $30,956, while the reported median debt is $17,350 with an estimated monthly payment of $183. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Hispanic students (51.2%), followed by White students (24.9%) and Asian students (9.6%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($62,908) divided by median debt ($17,350)