Cal State San Marcos Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Established in 1989, California State University San Marcos is committed to delivering high-quality education, promoting cutting-edge research, and nurturing global careers.

Recognized for its academic excellence and industry-aligned curriculum, California State University San Marcos offers 59 programs across UG and gradute level. Indian students can explore 39 undergraduate programs in fields such as B.E. / B.Tech, BBA, B.Sc., B.A. and BSN. These bachelor's degrees typically span 4 years, with a strong focus on practical learning, global exposure, and research opportunities. For Indian graduates aiming to pursue further studies abroad, California State University San Marcos can choose from 20 master’s programs, in cutting-edge field. Postgraduate courses generally last between 16 months, depending on the program structure and research involvement.

When it comes to costs, Indian students should consider the comprehensive fee structure, which includes tuition, accommodation or hostel charges, health insurance, transport, and day-to-day expenses. Among these, California State University San Marcos tuition fees are the major component. For undergraduate courses, the first-year tuition fee is USD 18,684 (INR 16,39,147), while master's program fees is USD 15,168 - 18,684 (INR 13,30,688 - 16,39,147), depending on the specialization and duration.

International students, including those from India, can complete their admission process through the official California State University San Marcos application portal or other common applications. Before applying, students are advised to prepare all necessary documents and ensure they meet the basic eligibility criteria. Once the eligibility conditions are satisfied and the required documents are uploaded, applicants must proceed to pay the non-refundable California State University San Marcos application fee to finalize the submission. Below are the key admission eligibility criteria for the univeristy:

(1 USD = Rs. 87.73) As of Aug 26, 2025

California State University San Marcos offers a diverse range of programs across both UG and Graduate level. Some of the most popular majors at California State University San Marcos include Computer Science Engineering, Physics, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Biology. To apply, international students must meet the basic eligibility criteria and submit the required documents based on the level of the program. Below is an overview of the California State University San Marcos admission requirements for international applicants:

International students must follow the step-by-step admission procedure outlined below to apply successfully to California State University San Marcos:

• Choose a program: The university offers wide variety of programs. Carefully review the eligibility criteria for the selected program before applying.
• Fill Out the application form: Apply via the official California State University San Marcos admission portal or other common applications. Complete the application by providing details such as an academic history, personal statement/essay, standardized test scores, English language proficiency scores, and other required information.
• Pay application fee:After filling in personal and academic details and uploading documents, pay the non-refundable California State University San Marcos application fee to submit your application.
• Await university response: After submission, the university will review the application. If shortlisted, students will receive an offer letter via email within a few weeks.
• Pay tuition fees: Once accepted, international students must pay tuition fees based on the selected course. For undergraduate programs, the tuition cost is USD 18,684. For postgraduate programs, the cost is USD 15,168 - 18,684.

As per the data taken from unofficial sources, in the year 2025, 17,519 applications were received by California State University San Marcos. Out of these, 16,765 students were rolled out an offer letter, resulting in a California State University San Marcos acceptance rate of 95.70%. By the table given below, it can be seen that the acceptance rate has increased over the years, which was relatively lower in 2022 and 2023.

The number of applicants is fluctuating, which decreased significantly in the year 2024. The yield rate continues to be an issue for the university as it is lower and getting even less over the years, indicating the availability of choices of better universities for the potential students. The students consider it a safe university.