San Marcos, CA · Private University
Is California State University-San Marcos Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,908
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,739
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,619
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$78,476
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.21x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
54.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,350
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$10,550
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-San Marcos graduates earn $17,908 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State University-San Marcos ranked by graduate earnings
555 graduates
130 graduates
83 graduates
19 graduates
94 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-San Marcos
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State University-San Marcos, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $94,706) and the lowest (Communication Disorders Sciences and Services: $22,567) is $72,139/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $94,706 | 4.8x |
| Computer Science | $93,753 | 4.8x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $74,510 | 3.8x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $72,329 | 3.7x |
| Physics | $66,529 | 3.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $66,520 | 3.4x |
| Marketing | $63,101 | 3.2x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $62,177 | 3.2x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,002 | 3.2x |
| Computer Systems Analysis(1yr data) | $61,054 | 3.1x |
| Economics | $60,320 | 3.1x |
| Biotechnology | $59,766 | 3.0x |
| Biology, General | $57,860 | 3.0x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $57,682 | 2.9x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $55,455 | 2.8x |
| Management Information Systems and Services(1yr data) | $55,102 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,541 | 2.8x |
| Criminology | $49,760 | 2.5x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $49,382 | 2.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,169 | 2.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,151 | 2.4x |
| History | $46,599 | 2.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,533 | 2.3x |
| Sociology | $44,408 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $44,140 | 2.3x |
| Social Sciences, General | $43,710 | 2.2x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,664 | 2.2x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology(1yr data) | $40,875 | 2.1x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $38,757 | 2.0x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $38,622 | 2.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $37,364 | 1.9x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences(1yr data) | $36,889 | 1.9x |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | $32,802 | 1.7x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $29,055 | 1.5x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $22,567 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State University-San Marcos stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,908 10 years after starting, $17,908 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.8 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.