Colleges in San Marcos, California
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in San Marcos, California (3 Private for-profit, 2 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $18,797 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 62.7%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 95% of applicants.
The median net price in San Marcos runs about $1,914 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in San Marcos, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$18,797
After aid
Median grad rate
62.7%
6-year
Median admission rate
95%
Median enrollment
7,725
Undergrad
All colleges in San Marcos
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palomar College San Marcos, CA | CA | Public, 2-year | $5,763 | 37.5% | Not available | 17,712 | Partial | |
| California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $10,229 | 54.6% | 95% | 14,877 | Complete | |
| Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos San Marcos, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $27,365 | 70.9% | Not available | 573 | Partial | |
| Palomar Institute of Cosmetology San Marcos, CA | CA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $27,778 | 89.1% | Not available | 193 | Partial | |
| University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences San Marcos, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private for-profit (3)
Private for-profit colleges in San Marcos operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Pima Medical Institute-San MarcosNet price: $27,365Grad: 70.9%
- Palomar Institute of CosmetologyNet price: $27,778Grad: 89.1%
- University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in San Marcos are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Palomar CollegeNet price: $5,763Grad: 37.5%
- California State University-San MarcosNet price: $10,229Grad: 54.6%
Top programs in San Marcos
Most-completed programs across San Marcos colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Liberal arts17.3% of degrees
- Business17.1% of degrees
- Social sciences12.1% of degrees
- Health professions10.2% of degrees
- Psychology5.3% of degrees
- Computer science3.8% of degrees
- Biological sciences3.7% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary3.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in San Marcos
Q.How many colleges are in San Marcos, California?
There are 5 colleges and universities in San Marcos, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 3 Private for-profit, 2 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in San Marcos?
By undergraduate enrollment, Palomar College is the largest institution in San Marcos with roughly 17,712 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in San Marcos?
Based on average net price after aid, Palomar College is the most affordable institution in San Marcos at $5,763 per year.
Q.Which San Marcos college has the highest graduation rate?
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among San Marcos institutions at 89.1%.
Q.What is the average tuition in San Marcos?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in San Marcos is $18,797 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in San Marcos?
Across San Marcos colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Liberal arts, Business, Social sciences.
Q.Are there community colleges in San Marcos?
Yes — San Marcos includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in San Marcos that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.