California State University-San Marcos: programs, outcomes and local jobs

California State University-San Marcos at a glance

• 14,877

  students enrolled

• 3,902

  degrees and certificates a year

• 55%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $10,229

  average net price a year

  Tuition $5,742 in state, $17,622 out of state

• $48,673

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $62,908

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  88% working

Executive education programs and Career retraining programs listed on its site.

What students study

AI and data programs

California State University-San Marcos reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024. A new program with no graduates yet would not appear here.

The job market around California State University-San Marcos

Professional jobs listed in the cities of San Diego County, where the college is.

Layoff notices in San Diego CountyCalifornia layoff noticesCalifornia rapid response

• 4,394

  open professional jobs

• 357

  entry level

  19 say no experience is needed

• 10%

  ask for AI skills

  427 jobs

• 4.9%

  unemployment in San Diego County

  2026-08 · down 0.2 points from a year earlier

• $102,285

  median household income

  San Diego County

• 47%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 3.3% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in social sciences, business & management, health professions, which lead to research (124 open), programs (105 open), human resources (112 open), finance (361 open), sales (304 open), operations (442 open).

Hiring most: General Atomics (376), Qualcomm Inc/De (285), Neurocrine Biosciences (100), Northrop Grumman (96), Qualcomm Technologies (91), Viasat (84), Apple (77), Intuit (73).

What they hire for: Engineering (1,474), Operations (442), Finance (361), Sales (304), Data & Analytics (272), Legal (216). Engineering jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: San Diego Workforce Development Board.

• America`s Job Center of California-North County Coastal Career CenterOceanside · 760-666-6763 · Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• East County Career CenterEl Cajon · 619-319-9675 · Monday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm
• Metro Career CenterSan Diego · Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• North County Coastal Career CenterOceanside · Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• South Bay Career CenterChula Vista · 619-319-9675 · Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5 :00p.m.

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in California

• California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino · 15,023 students
• Modesto Junior CollegeModesto · 15,109 students
• Rio Hondo CollegeWhittier · 15,684 students
• San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego · 16,098 students
• California State University-ChicoChico · 13,631 students
• Cypress CollegeCypress · 13,354 students

All California colleges

Common questions

How big is California State University-San Marcos?

California State University-San Marcos enrolls about 14,877 students and is a public 4-year institution in San Marcos, California. It awards about 3,902 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at California State University-San Marcos?

55% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do California State University-San Marcos graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $48,673 six years after entry and $62,908 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does California State University-San Marcos offer AI or data science degrees?

California State University-San Marcos reported no degrees or certificates in artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics or robotics for 2024 (IPEDS completions). A new program with no graduates yet would not appear.

Are there jobs near California State University-San Marcos?

4,394 open professional jobs are listed in San Diego County, 357 of them entry level and 19 saying no experience is needed. General Atomics has the most openings.