Colleges · San Marcos

Colleges in San Marcos, CA

San Marcos is home to 3 colleges with about 32,532 students on campus. The largest is California State University-San Marcos. 3 more colleges are within 15 miles.

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard & IPEDS

Colleges

degree-granting, in San Marcos

Students on campus

32,532

fall enrollment, not counting online-only

Largest

California State University-San Marcos

14,549 on campus

Most selective

California State University-San Marcos

admits 95% of applicants

Lowest net price

California State University-San Marcos

$10,229 a year after aid

Every college

All 3 colleges in San Marcos

California State University-San MarcosUniversity or college · Public · 14,549 on campus 95%admitted$10knet price55%graduate$63kearnings Palomar CollegeCommunity college · Public · 13,825 on campus Openadmitted$6knet price38%graduate$42kearnings University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesUniversity or college · For-profit · 4,158 on campus Openadmitted—net price—graduate$79kearnings

University or collegeCommunity collegeBigger dot = more students on campus

Also in San Marcos: Pima Medical Institute-San Marcos, Palomar Institute of Cosmetology (career schools).

Net price is the average a year after grants for families on federal aid; earnings are the median 10 years after starting. Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023).

Within reach

Other colleges near San Marcos

36 more colleges are within 30 miles of San Marcos.

John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Escondido5.2 mi298 students

Westminster Theological Seminary in CaliforniaUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Escondido7.2 mi101 students

MiraCosta CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Oceanside8.6 mi5,946 students San Diego Miramar CollegeCommunity college · Public · San Diego15.8 mi8,368 students

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · San Diego16.7 mi48 students

Alliant International University-San DiegoUniversity or college · For-profit · San Diego16.9 mi1,412 students Design Institute of San DiegoUniversity or college · For-profit · San Diego17.5 mi107 students University of California-San DiegoUniversity or college · Public · San Diego18.1 mi42,066 students

Ashford UniversityUniversity or college · For-profit · San Diego21.2 mi24 students

National UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · San Diego21.2 mi3,355 students

26 more within 30 miles.

Straight-line distance from the center of San Marcos. Degree-granting colleges with students on campus. Colleges marked › have their own page; the others are too small or don’t report enough to the Department of Education for one.

Colleges in San Marcos, CA

All 3 colleges in San Marcos

Other colleges near San Marcos

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