College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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Can You Afford California State University - San Marcos?

Concerned about paying for college? Take a look at CSUSM’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.

Attendance Costs in 2020 - 2021 Varied Between $12,179 & $36,977

Worried about paying the full cost of $36,977 to attend California State University - San Marcos? That number can be deceiving, as the net amount most students will pay varies significantly.

For students living in California, the university offers a discount of 60.6% off tuition and fees. Also, 70.4% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $9,138. Students from low-income families receive an average of $12,918 in aid during their first year.

Cost for Residents of California (no aid)

Tuition and fees$7,723
+ Room and board$13,150
+ Other expenses$4,224
Total cost$25,097
Affordability Score (52 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Residents of California (with average aid)

Total cost$25,097
- Grants and scholarships$9,138
Net price$15,959
Affordability Score (62 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of California

Total cost$25,097
- Grants and scholarships$12,918
Net price$12,179
Affordability Score (71 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)

Tuition and fees$19,603
+ Room and board$13,150
+ Other expenses$4,224
Total cost$36,977
Affordability Score (36 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)

Total cost$36,977
- Grants and scholarships$9,138
Net price$27,839
Affordability Score (30 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates

Total cost$36,977
- Grants and scholarships$12,918
Net price$24,059
Affordability Score (31 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at CSUSM.

Projected Costs Between $49,213 and $206,554 For a Four Year Degree. Between $24,535 and $102,947 For a Two Year Degree.

It can be a bit scary to look at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of a multi-year degree, however, doing so will help you better understand the financial commitment you are making.

The overall cost for on-campus, in-state students to attend California State University - San Marcos in 2020 - 2021 was $25,097. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 0.5% each year.

If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $25,328 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $25,680, for a bachelor degree candidate ($25,445 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $102,015 over the course of four years ($50,773 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.

The cost for out-of-state students is more, with an overall expected four-year cost of $149,572 based on a yearly growth rate of 0.3%. The expected two-year cost is $74,547.

Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.

Average Net Price at California State University - San Marcos

Cost With Interest for Residents of California

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*1.1%0.5%
Freshman year$12,250$16,315$25,328
Senior year$12,285$16,496$25,445
Total 2-year net price$24,535$32,812$50,773
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$9,347$12,500$19,343
Total monthly payment$282$378$584
Total amount paid$33,882$45,312$70,116
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*1.1%0.5%
Freshman year$12,250$16,315$25,328
Senior year$12,357$16,865$25,680
Total 4-year net price$49,213$66,356$102,015
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$18,748$25,279$38,864
Total monthly payment$566$764$1,174
Total amount paid$67,961$91,635$140,879

Cost With Interest for Out-Of-State Residents

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*0.6%0.3%
Freshman year$24,131$28,202$37,214
Senior year$24,167$28,385$37,333
Total 2-year net price$48,299$56,587$74,547
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$18,400$21,558$28,400
Total monthly payment$556$651$858
Total amount paid$66,699$78,145$102,947
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*0.6%0.3%
Freshman year$24,131$28,202$37,214
Senior year$24,240$28,756$37,572
Total 4-year net price$96,742$113,913$149,572
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$36,855$43,397$56,981
Total monthly payment$1,113$1,311$1,721
Total amount paid$133,598$157,310$206,554

Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending California State University - San Marcos.

Further Questions to Consider

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