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The real 4-year cost of California State University-San Marcos
Over the 15 years from 2008 to 2023, published tuition and required fees at California State University-San Marcos went from $3,650 to $7,734, an average of 0.8% a year.
Read with care: this school's history shows a tuition freeze or guarantee, so a smooth projection may not hold.
2008–2027: history and projection
If you pay full sticker
Projected tuition + fees, entering fall 2026.
| Year 1 | $7,932 |
| Year 2 | $7,999 |
| Year 3 | $8,067 |
| Year 4 | $8,135 |
| 4-year total | $32,133 |
Two aid scenarios
4-year out-of-pocket total.
- $10,000/yr flat scholarship
- $0
- Flat aid doesn't grow, so it covers less each year.
- 50%-of-tuition scholarship
- $20,205
- Percentage aid keeps pace with tuition.
Run your own numbers
Enter your actual scholarship offer to see your real 4-year total.
See my 4-year cost at California State University-San Marcos