California State University-San Marcos vs University of California-Santa Barbara
San Marcos, CA — Santa Barbara, CA
| Metric | California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA | University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | San Marcos, CA | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 14,877 | 23,113 |
| Acceptance Rate | 95.1% | 33.0% |
| SAT Average | — | — |
| In-State Tuition | $8,082 | $16,414 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,682 | $50,614 |
| Avg Net Price | $10,229 | $16,109 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,350 | $13,993 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 54.4% | 84.3% |
| Retention Rate | 78.6% | 93.0% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $48,673 | $56,852 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $62,908 | $74,915 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 333500.0% | 596200.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
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University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do California State University-San Marcos and University of California-Santa Barbara compare?▼
California State University-San Marcos (San Marcos, CA) has an acceptance rate of 95.1%, in-state tuition of $8,082, and median 10-year earnings of $62,908. University of California-Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA) has an acceptance rate of 33.0%, in-state tuition of $16,414, and median 10-year earnings of $74,915.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, California State University-San Marcos or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
University of California-Santa Barbara graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $74,915 vs $62,908. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, California State University-San Marcos or University of California-Santa Barbara?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), California State University-San Marcos is the more affordable option at $10,229 per year versus $16,109.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
University of California-Santa Barbara has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 84.3% vs 54.4%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025