Cal State Fullerton vs CSU San Marcos

California State University-Fullerton (CSUF) and California State University-San Marcos (CSUSM) are two distinct universities within the California State University system, each offering unique educational experiences. CSUF, located in the heart of Orange County, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while CSUSM, situated in the vibrant city of San Marcos, emphasizes experiential learning and boasts a strong focus on sustainability. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to diverse student populations and aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	California State University-Fullerton	California State University-San Marcos
Overview
Location	Fullerton, California	San Marcos, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	79.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.4%	93.3%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $70
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	45,140	13,986
Total number of admissions given out	26,827	13,049
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,219	2,413
Yield rate	15.7%	18.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,282 Out of state: $42,162	In state: $22,366 Out of state: $34,246
Average net price	$4,939	$14,296
Tuition	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622	In state: $5,742 Out of state: $17,622
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $12,918 Meal plan: $4,374
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	74.0% Average amount $9,215	70.0% Average amount $9,298
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,700	22.0% Average amount $4,734
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $11,380	1.0% Average amount $12,988

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	35,600 Men 41.2% Women 58.8%	14,963 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%
Graduate students	5,138 Men 36.8% Women 63.2%	1,292 Men 28.4% Women 71.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	0.9%	1.5%
International students	4.9%	3.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,045	1,547
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Texas Hawaii Illinois Arizona	California Colorado Washington Virginia Arizona

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Education Engineering Business	Business Health Professions Biological and Biomedical Sciences Computer and Information Science Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	25:1	25:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	71.5%	59.2%
Dropout rate	21.3%	33.6%
Transferred out	1.8%	2.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $145,938 Year 2: $157,680 Year 3: $165,916 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $138,162 Year 2: $114,595 Year 3: $130,592 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $113,642 Year 2: $110,241 Year 3: $114,173 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $88,293 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $97,266 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $86,611 Year 2: $86,042 Year 3: $94,651 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,934 Year 2: $80,779 Year 3: $90,936 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,382 Year 2: $78,971 Year 3: $89,837 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,840 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $81,048 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,980 Year 2: $76,325 Year 3: $79,512 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,145 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $78,803	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $107,746 Year 2: $103,555 Year 3: $111,324 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $90,827 Year 2: $88,074 Year 3: $90,666 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,843 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $83,791 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,941 Year 3: $72,765 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,962 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $71,818 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,769 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $68,571 Physics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $65,899 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,297 Year 2: $49,520 Year 3: $62,797 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $59,252 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $59,957 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $45,864 Year 3: $57,022

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos?

CSU Fullerton (CSUF) is a larger, more established university located in a bustling urban environment in Orange County. It's known for its strong business, communications, and education programs. CSU San Marcos (CSUSM), on the other hand, is a smaller, more recently established university in northern San Diego County, offering a more intimate campus environment. It's recognized for its nursing, business, and STEM programs, with a focus on applied learning and community engagement.
Which university is larger: CSU Fullerton or CSU San Marcos?

CSU Fullerton is significantly larger than CSU San Marcos. CSUF has a much larger student body and a more extensive campus.
Where are CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos located?

CSU Fullerton is located in Fullerton, Orange County, California, a densely populated urban area. CSU San Marcos is located in San Marcos, northern San Diego County, offering a more suburban setting.
Which university is known for its business programs?

Both CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos have strong business programs. CSU Fullerton's business school is particularly well-regarded and established, while CSU San Marcos offers a more hands-on, applied approach to business education.
Does one university have a stronger focus on STEM fields than the other?

While both universities offer STEM programs, CSU San Marcos has a growing emphasis on STEM fields, particularly in areas like biotechnology and engineering. CSU Fullerton also has strong STEM programs, but its reputation is more broadly based across various disciplines.
Which university offers a more intimate campus environment?

CSU San Marcos generally offers a more intimate campus environment due to its smaller size and student-to-faculty ratio. This can lead to more personalized attention and a stronger sense of community.
How do the costs of attending CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos compare?

The tuition and fees at CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos are generally comparable, as they are both part of the California State University system. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, transportation, and personal expenses. Living in Orange County (Fullerton) may be more expensive than living in San Marcos.
What are the popular majors at CSU Fullerton?

CSU Fullerton is known for its strong programs in business administration, communications, education, and the arts. Nursing is also a very popular and competitive major.
What are the popular majors at CSU San Marcos?

CSU San Marcos is known for its programs in nursing, business administration, psychology, and biological sciences. It also has growing programs in engineering and computer science.
Which university is better for students interested in living in a large city?

CSU Fullerton is a better choice for students who prefer a large city environment. Fullerton is located in the heart of Orange County, offering easy access to a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and professional opportunities.
Which university is better for students seeking a more relaxed, suburban atmosphere?

CSU San Marcos is a better choice for students who prefer a more relaxed, suburban atmosphere. San Marcos offers a quieter environment with access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community.
Do both universities offer on-campus housing?

Yes, both CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos offer on-campus housing options for students. However, availability can vary, so it's important to apply early.
Are there any specific programs that one university excels in compared to the other?

CSU Fullerton has a particularly strong and well-established communications program, while CSU San Marcos is gaining recognition for its innovative programs in biotechnology and applied engineering.
How do the career services at CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos compare?

Both CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos offer career services to help students with internships, job searching, and career development. CSU Fullerton, being a larger university, may have a more extensive network of alumni and employer connections in certain industries, particularly in Southern California. CSU San Marcos has strong ties to local businesses in the San Diego area.
What is the student life like at CSU Fullerton and CSU San Marcos?

CSU Fullerton has a vibrant student life with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities. Its location in a major metropolitan area provides numerous opportunities for off-campus entertainment and cultural experiences. CSU San Marcos offers a more close-knit community with a focus on campus events and outdoor recreation. Both universities offer a variety of ways for students to get involved and connect with their peers.

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