California State University - San Marcos (2024)

FAQs

Is it easy to get into Cal State San Marcos? ›

The acceptance rate at Cal State San Marcos is 93.8%.

They accept nearly all students, so for the most part, you just need to submit an application to get in. But if you don't meet all their application requirements, you'll be one of the very few people who gets rejected.

Cal State San Marcos is one of the top regional universities in the West according to new rankings by the publication U.S. News & World Report. CSUSM ranks No. 28 in the category “Regional Universities West” on the U.S. News 2024 Best Colleges list, which was released Monday.

Average GPA: 3.39

The average GPA at Cal State San Marcos is 3.39.

For undergraduate courses under this grading basis, a credit (CR) is awarded for grades equivalent to C or better. No credit (NC) is awarded for grades equivalent to C- or less. For graduate courses under this grading basis, a credit (CR) is awarded for grades equivalent to B- or better.

Some of the least competitive California schools for admission include California State University, East Bay; California State University, Channel Islands; and California State University, Monterey Bay. These schools have higher acceptance rates and are considered accessible colleges in California.

A Chronicle analysis of admissions rates found that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the most competitive school in the California State University system. UCLA and UC Berkeley are often considered the crown jewels of California public universities.

Undergraduate applicants: The minimum requirement for conditional admission is a cumulative GPA of 2.67. If you do not meet the 2.75 GPA requirement, but have earned a 2.5 GPA or better, you may submit a Special Action Petition for committee consideration.

95.2% (2022)

California State University San Marcos / Acceptance rate

Cal State San Marcos is a fully accredited state university, recognized for quality in undergraduate and graduate academic offerings, hands-on research, and community service learning.

Students are allowed to repeat a specific class twice (i.e., 3 total attempts). Exceptions to this limit must be approved by the college Dean or designee. Students may repeat a class where a grade of "C-" or below (students may not re-enroll in a class in which they have earned a grade of "C" or higher).

Does grade forgiveness affect GPA? ›

When you earn a better grade the second or third time, you may be eligible for Grade Forgiveness, which allows you to replace the previous grade with the new one. This means that the old grade will be taken out of your GPA, however all attempts will still appear on your transcript.

Course Forgiveness allows undergraduate students to repeat a course where a grade of C- or lower was earned and only the most recent grade will be calculated in the GPA. A course may be repeated only one time for course forgiveness. Course forgiveness is only available to undergraduate students.

California State University--San Marcos has an acceptance rate of 94%. Half the applicants admitted to California State University--San Marcos who submitted test scores have an SAT score between 870 and 1100 or an ACT score of 17 and 25.

Cumulative G.P.A.: 2.5 or higher overall grade point average (GPA) is required.

CSUSM has wonderful programs for students who are pursing business or nursing majors. The campus life is friendly and there are tons of activities to get involved. The resources and academic counseling offered by CSUSM is extensive. Keep your grades up, especially when it draws closer to applying for colleges.

The most popular majors at California State University--San Marcos include: Social Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Family and Consumer ...