Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
California State University-San Marcos admits about 10 in 10 applicants (95%). That puts it in the "Open" tier, more selective than 12% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (95% and 95%).
Applicants from California and from other states were admitted at similar rates (95% and 94%).
$70 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
14% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Doesn't offer early decision or early action
Where you stand
How California State University-San Marcos reads a record
GPA is very important. 20% of first-years had a 3.75 or higher. Scores aren't read. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it. Recommends 4 years of math (3 required). See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Not considered | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Not considered | ||||
| Essay | Not considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Not considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Not considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Not considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Not considered | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Not considered | ||||
| Work experience | Not considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
83% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 95% of first-year applicants
6,519 applied · 5,410 admitted · 2,154 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Minimum high school GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: priority date December 31, apply by February 28, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: priority date August 30, apply by November 14, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required of some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Not required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Not required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by February 28 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: December 31. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting November 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $0 housing deposit.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | 4 |
| Math | 3 | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2 / 2) | 2 | 2 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 2 |
| History | 2 | 2 |
| Academic electives | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 15 | 16 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.32
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.07%
- 3.75–3.9913%
- 3.50–3.7417%
- 3.25–3.4920%
- 3.00–3.2418%
- below 3.026%
The middle half had GPAs of 2.50–3.74.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 6.6% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 13.5% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 16.6% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 19.6% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 17.9% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 21.9% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 3.9% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
Source:California State University-San Marcos Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 990 on the SAT, 180 points below the median for colleges that report scores.
Not considered
Scores aren't considered, even if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
41% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 800–999.
40% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 400–499.
50% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 400–499.
Shares of the 2% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
64 studentsAt least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:California State University-San Marcos Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;California State University-San Marcos Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;California State University-San Marcos Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;California State University-San Marcos Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)