Does California State University-San Marcos require the SAT? No, it's test blind
California State University-San Marcos is test blind: it won't read an SAT or ACT score, even if you send one. It admits 95% of applicants, so grades, courses and essays decide.
California State University-San Marcos doesn't read SAT or ACT scores
A score won't be read even if you send one, so it can't help or hurt. With a 95% admit rate, California State University-San Marcos is a Likely for everyone; grades, courses and essays decide.
California State University-San Marcos by the numbers
- Admit rate
- 95%
- Middle 50% SAT
- Not read
- Test policy
- Test blind
Test blind · checked Nov 9, 2026 · California State University-San Marcos admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS
California State University-San Marcos admit rate over 10 years
Applications rose 44%, from 13,718 in 2015 to 19,721 in 2024, and California State University-San Marcos's admit rate went from 54% to 95%.
- 54%
- 95%
Show the numbers
| Fall | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 19,721 | 18,755 | 95% |
| 2023 | 17,519 | 16,765 | 96% |
| 2022 | 14,774 | 14,064 | 95% |
| 2021 | 13,986 | 13,049 | 93% |
| 2020 | 15,413 | 12,241 | 79% |
| 2019 | 17,349 | 10,699 | 62% |
| 2018 | 17,649 | 10,311 | 58% |
| 2017 | 16,514 | 9,374 | 57% |
| 2016 | 15,366 | 7,965 | 52% |
| 2015 | 13,718 | 7,413 | 54% |
In fall 2024, 2,624 of the 18,755 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.
California State University-San Marcos GPA
What enrolled first-year students brought from high school.
- Average high school GPA
- 3.32
- 100% of new students reported one
Common Data Set 2025–26.
California State University-San Marcos cost and outcomes
What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.
- Average net price
- $10,229
- per year, after grants
- Graduate in 6 years
- 55%
- Median earnings
- $62,908
- 10 years after starting
- Undergraduates
- 16,371
College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.
Colleges like California State University-San Marcos
Other colleges that don't read scores, with similar admit rates.
- California State University-FresnoFresno, CA · 95% admittedTest blind
- California State University-Channel IslandsCamarillo, CA · 95% admittedTest blind
- California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA · 94% admittedTest blind
- San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA · 96% admittedTest blind
- California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA · 93% admittedTest blind
- Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA · 93% admittedTest blind
More colleges in California
Sources
- California State University-San Marcos Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
- College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
- College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
- California State University-San Marcos admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
- California State University-San Marcos website
California State University-San Marcos
Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.
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