by our College Data Analytics TeamHere are the current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at California State University-San Marcos, together with how they compare nationally and their recent trend.
Most-recent in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at California State University-San Marcos came in at $8,082 each year. For students from out of state the figure was $20,682. The difference reflects the in-state residency discount.
Of those figures, the required fees added up to $1,998 in-state and $1,998 out-of-state; the remainder is straight tuition.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,084 | $18,684 |
| Fees | $1,998 | $1,998 |
| Total | $8,082 | $20,682 |
The amounts shown cover one academic year and leave out room and board.
Note that plenty of students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships that cut the price they ultimately pay. The totals here are the list price.
How much does California State University-San Marcos cost per credit hour part time? See the Cost Per Credit Hour page for the breakdown.
To put that price in context, here is how California State University-San Marcos tuition and fees compare to other colleges. Each label reflects how the school sits versus the average of that group.
| Nationwide | In CA | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Average | Average | Expensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Inexpensive | Average | Average |
Compared to colleges across the country, California State University-San Marcos is about average on cost.
Bear in mind that aid packages often lower the real cost well below these published figures. See the California State University-San Marcos Financial Aid page for details.
Here’s how tuition at California State University-San Marcos has moved over the last few reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Two Years Ago | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| One Year Ago | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Most Recent Year | $6,084 | $18,684 |
This chart shows the way tuition at CSUSM has moved over recent reported years.
Most recently, out-of-state tuition rose 6.0%. If that pace held for another year, tuition + fees would land around $21,928 next year.
Most schools raise tuition gradually each year, so a freshman should expect to pay more by senior year.
See answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for more context.
On average, in-state tuition and fees climbed each year by about 1.53%, putting next year’s in-state cost near $8,205. For out-of-state students, the average annual increase was 1.83%, putting next year’s out-of-state cost near $21,059.
Holding that rate, here is how tuition and fees could track over the next five years:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $8,205 | $21,059 |
| In 2 Years | $8,330 | $21,443 |
| In 3 Years | $8,457 | $21,834 |
| In 4 Years | $8,586 | $22,232 |
| In 5 Years | $8,717 | $22,638 |
Plan around the full four-year total, not just a single year — four years of out-of-state cost at this pace comes to around $86,568, compared with about $33,578 for in-state students.
Tuition is only the beginning of the cost story — financial aid can change the actual price a family pays substantially.
For more on the aid available at California State University-San Marcos, head to the California State University-San Marcos Financial Aid page.
