What families actually pay
Average yearly net price after grants, in-state students, by family income
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, College Scorecard · data snapshot October 2, 2026
AP credit
Most-taken exams, lowest score that earns credit| Exam | Min score | California State University-San Marcos course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 3 | 3 3 2 MATH 160 Only one AP examination in…3 3 2 MATH 160 Only one AP examination in calculus may be applied to the baccalaureate. | |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 6 3 2 MATH 160 & 162 | |
| Biology | 3 | 6 4 5B + 5C GES 102 | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 6 4 5A + 5C GES 101 | |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 101 If a student passes more…4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 101 If a student passes more than one AP examination in physics, only 6 units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate and only 4 units of credit may be applied to a certification GE breadth, if applicable. | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 3 1A GEW 101 B | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 6 1A + 3B GEW 101 B & LTWR 100 | |
| United States History | 3 | 6 3 3B or 4C + 4H HIST 130 & 131 Does not satisfy…6 3 3B or 4C + 4H HIST 130 & 131 Does not satisfy 4G (California Government) for the American Institutions Requirement. |
Show all 49 exams and every score level
| Exam | Min score | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 3 | 3 3 2 MATH 160 Only one AP examination in…3 3 2 MATH 160 Only one AP examination in calculus may be applied to the baccalaureate. | |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 6 3 2 MATH 160 & 162 | |
| Biology | 3 | 6 4 5B + 5C GES 102 | |
| Biology | 4 | 6 4 5B + 5C BIOL 210 | |
| Chemistry | 3 | 6 4 5A + 5C GES 101 | |
| Chemistry | 4 | 6 4 5A + 5C CHEM 150 & 150L | |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 101 If a student passes more…4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 101 If a student passes more than one AP examination in physics, only 6 units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate and only 4 units of credit may be applied to a certification GE breadth, if applicable. | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 3 1A GEW 101 B | |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 6 3 1A GEW 101 B If a student passes more than…6 3 1A GEW 101 B If a student passes more than one AP exam in English, only 6 units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate. | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 6 1A + 3B GEW 101 B & LTWR 100 | |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 6 6 1A + 3B GEW 101 B & LTWR 100 | |
| United States History | 3 | 6 3 3B or 4C + 4H HIST 130 & 131 Does not satisfy…6 3 3B or 4C + 4H HIST 130 & 131 Does not satisfy 4G (California Government) for the American Institutions Requirement. | |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 3 4 PSYC 100 Does not satisfy the American…3 3 4 PSYC 100 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 3 2 MATH 242 or BUS 204 | |
| Statistics | 4 | 3 3 2 BIOL 215, MATH 242 or BUS 204 | |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 3 0 n/a CS 111 Only one AP examination in…3 0 n/a CS 111 Only one AP examination in computer science may be applied to the baccalaureate. | |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 3 4 ECON 202 Does not satisfy the American…3 3 4 ECON 202 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 3 4 ECON 201 Does not satisfy the American…3 3 4 ECON 201 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 3 3 3B or 4 Does not satisfy the American…3 3 3B or 4 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 3 3B or 4 Does not satisfy the American…6 3 3B or 4 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C | |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 102 | |
| European History | 3 | 6 3 3B or 4 Does not satisfy the American…6 3 3B or 4 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 3 4 GEOG 201 Does not satisfy the American…3 3 4 GEOG 201 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B SPAN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B SPAN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B SPAN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B SPAN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 6 3 3B SPAN 202 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B SPAN 202 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 6 3 3B SPAN 202 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B SPAN 202 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 6 3 2 CS 105 | |
| Art History | 3 | 6 3 3A or 3B | |
| Music Theory | 3 | 6 0 n/a | |
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Business with Personal Finance | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Calculus BC/AB Subscore | 3 | 3 3 2 MATH 160 | |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B CHIN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B CHIN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 3 4 Does not satisfy the American Institutions…3 3 4 Does not satisfy the American Institutions Requirement . | |
| Computer Science AB | 3 | 6 0 n/a | |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B FREN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B FREN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B GRMN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B GRMN 201 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 6 3 3B GRMN 202 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B GRMN 202 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Latin | 3 | 6 3 3B Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Physics 1: Algebra -based | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 101 | |
| Physics 2: Algebra -based | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 102 | |
| Physics B | 3 | 6 0 n/a | |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 202 | |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 4 4 5A + 5C PHYS 201 | |
| Precalculus | 3 | 3 3 2 MATH 115 | |
| Precalculus | 4 | 3 3 2 MATH 126 | |
| Research | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B SPAN 315 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B SPAN 315 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 6 3 3B SPAN 315 Satisfies CHABSS Language…6 3 3B SPAN 315 Satisfies CHABSS Language Proficiency Requirement. | |
| Studio Art | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Studio Art-2D | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| Studio Art-3D | 3 | 3 0 n/a | |
| U.S. Government and Politics | 3 | 3 3 4C + 4H PSCI 100 Does not satisfy 4G…3 3 4C + 4H PSCI 100 Does not satisfy 4G (California Government) for the American Institutions Requirement . |
Source: csusm.edu · checked September 19, 2026
Biggest majors
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 537 |
| Psychology | 306 |
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse | 294 |
| Sociology | 236 |
| Computer Science | 193 |
| Criminology | 178 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 164 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences | 161 |
Show the other 31 majors
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 158 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies | 146 |
| Human Development and Family Studies | 99 |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching | 89 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 80 |
| Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist | 70 |
| History | 68 |
| Political Science and Government | 67 |
| Social Sciences | 62 |
| English Language and Literature | 56 |
| Environmental Studies | 42 |
| Computer Software Engineering | 36 |
| Biotechnology | 29 |
| Economics | 27 |
| Mathematics | 26 |
| Biochemistry | 23 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 23 |
| Mass Communication/Media Studies | 21 |
| Spanish Language and Literature | 18 |
| Fire Protection, Other | 18 |
| Chemistry | 14 |
| Physics, Other | 13 |
| Anthropology | 12 |
| Women's Studies | 10 |
| Music | 9 |
| Linguistics | 7 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 7 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts | 6 |
| Geography | 2 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 1 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other | 1 |
Bachelor’s graduates, first major, most recent year · Source: U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Sports and campus life
Men’s varsity · NCAA Division II, California Collegiate Athletic Association
Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
Women’s varsity · NCAA Division II, California Collegiate Athletic Association
Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), Volleyball
ROTC
Air Force, Army, Navy
Faith groups
Cru, InterVarsity, Newman Connection
Also
Study abroad
Greek life
4% of men in fraternities · 5% of women in sororities · 5% of undergraduates overall (Common Data Set 2025–26)
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education athletics data (EADA), Common Data Set (Greek life), intervarsity.org · checked September 4, 2026 · data snapshot October 2, 2026
The place
Setting
Suburb, large
Federal locale classification
Metro area
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
3,298,799 people
Big-city metro (1 million+)
Yes
More about the place
Nearest airport
McClellan-Palomar (CRQ)
Nearest hub airport
San Diego International (SAN)
Walkability
EPA walkability index 7.5 of 20
Elevation
658 ft
Time zone
Pacific
January low
45°F
July high
87°F
Annual snowfall
0.0 in
Days at 90°F or higher
54 per year
One-bedroom fair market rent
$2,330 per month
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS locale), U.S. Census metro estimates, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, EPA walkability · data snapshot October 2, 2026
Colleges nearby
- John Paul the Great Catholic University4 mi
- University of California-San Diego18 mi
- National University21 mi
- San Diego Christian College22 mi
- University of San Diego25 mi
- San Diego State University25 mi
Straight-line distance between campuses
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