Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to San Marcos

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
SanMarcosPhoto: Taylorj661 · Public domain
Colleges in and near San Marcos

San Marcos is home to four colleges, with about 33,000 students on campus

California State University-San Marcos (14,549 students on campus) and Palomar College (13,825) are inside the city. About 10% of San Marcos’ residents are enrolled in college, above California (8%).

California State University-San MarcosPalomar CollegeUniversity of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of San Marcos. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
7
39,507 students on campus
Nearest college
0.6 mi
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos
Residents in college
10%
Above CA (8%)
Nearest community college
1.3 mi
Palomar College · $1,354 tuition
Nearest public university
0.7 mi
California State University-San Marcos · $8,082 in-state
Median household income
$109K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in San Marcos

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 1.3 milesCalifornia State University-San Marcos admits 95% of applicants. Together they have 32,532 students on campus.In-state price at California State University-San MarcosLiving in California, California State University-San Marcos charges $8,082 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $20,682. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 1.3 miles awayPalomar College in San Marcos: tuition and fees $1,354 a year for California residents.Students are 10% of residentsAbove California (8%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of San Marcos

Four private colleges within 7.2 miles, one public college within 0.7 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miCalifornia State University-San MarcosPalomar CollegeMiraCosta CollegeSan Marcos
University or collegeCommunity college
Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosUniversity or college · For-profit · 630 on campus · In San Marcos$27knet price71%graduate$39kearningsEarnings are reported for all 13 campuses that file with it.California State University-San MarcosUniversity or college · Public · 14,549 on campus · In San Marcos95%admitted$10knet price55%graduate$63kearningsPalomar CollegeCommunity college · Public · 13,825 on campus · In San Marcos$6knet price38%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $1,354 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesUniversity or college · For-profit · 4,158 on campus · In San Marcos$79kearningsGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 298 on campus · 5.2 mi · Escondido80%admitted$35knet price64%graduate$57kearningsWestminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 101 on campus · 7.2 mi · EscondidoGraduate students only; the Scorecard reports no undergraduate figures.MiraCosta CollegeCommunity college · Public · 5,946 on campus · 8.6 mi · Oceanside$7knet price41%graduate$44kearningsTuition and fees: $1,158 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where San Marcos’ median household income ($109,377) falls.

Palomar CollegeIn San Marcos · sticker $14,360 · tuition $1,354$9,766a year
MiraCosta College8.6 mi · Oceanside · sticker $15,531 · tuition $1,158$11,172a year
California State University-San MarcosIn San Marcos · sticker $21,649$12,525a year
John Paul the Great Catholic University5.2 mi · Escondido · sticker $52,367$32,194a year
Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosIn San Marcos · sticker $32,210—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of San Marcos: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosCalifornia State University-San MarcosPalomar CollegeJohn Paul the Great Catholic UniversityMiraCosta College
California State University-San Marcos55% graduate$63k earnings$17k typical debt
Palomar College38% graduate$42k earnings
MiraCosta College41% graduate$44k earnings$9k typical debt
Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos71% graduate$39k earnings*$10k typical debt
John Paul the Great Catholic University64% graduate$57k earnings$27k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos (13).

Majors

What students study in San Marcos

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across San Marcos’ 3 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 17%Liberal arts 16%Social sciences 12%Health professions 10%Psychology 4%Interdisciplinary 4%Everything else 38%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 471 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 315 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
SociologyCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 295 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 278 graduates a year
$120k4 yrs out
CriminologyCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 234 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Communication and Media StudiesCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 201 graduates a year
$60k4 yrs out
Biology, GeneralCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 188 graduates a year
$71k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessCalifornia State University-San Marcos · 164 graduates a year
$61k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in San Marcos

Is San Marcos a college town?

No. About 10 of every 100 San Marcos residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above California (8). The largest campus in the city, California State University-San Marcos, has 14,549 students on campus.

What colleges are in San Marcos?

California State University-San Marcos, Palomar College, the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos are inside the city.

What is the closest community college to San Marcos, and what does it cost?

Palomar College in San Marcos, 1.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $1,354 a year for California residents; the federal net price, $5,763, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does California State University-San Marcos cost if we live in California?

Tuition and fees are $8,082 a year in-state and $20,682 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $6,230 (under $30,000 income) to $18,734 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of San Marcos. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →