California State University-San Marcos is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of California State University-San Marcos is 93.3%. This means that 93 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as California State University-San Marcos is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
California State University-San Marcos Admission Requirements
California State University-San Marcos GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at California State University-San Marcos is 3.2. It means that California State University-San Marcos is selective in terms of GPA of the students. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).
With an average GPA of 3.2, California State University-San Marcos requires you to be above average in your class. You need to score more A's than B's in your classes to have good chances of admission. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus and physics will help you.
If your GPA is less than 3.2 and higher than 2.9 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need to have a minimum of 2.8 GPA, to secure admission at California State University-San Marcos. Below this, chances of admission will be very slim.
Can I Get Into California State University-San Marcos Without SAT Or ACT?: California State University-San Marcos does not require admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process and does not recommend that students provide these scores. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admissions. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
California State University-San Marcos SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
California State University-San Marcos Profile
Name: California State University-San Marcos
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
How much a degree from California State University-San Marcos Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at California State University-San Marcos is USD: 23821. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at California State University-San Marcos is USD: 14048
How can I get a scholarship?
45.23% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 26.52 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to California State University-San Marcos and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At California State University-San Marcos, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist California State University-San Marcos as your choice in the form.
How much a California State University-San Marcos Graduate makes?
The average annual salary of the California State University-San Marcos graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 59495. An average California State University-San Marcos graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834
Degree Programs
Bachelor Programs
- Accounting
- Anthropology
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Commerce
- Communication and Media Studies
Full list of All degree programs offered by California State University-San Marcos.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.