Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Graduate earnings at CSU San Marcos demonstrate steady growth patterns from early career through the ten-year mark. Median earnings begin at $48,673 six years after enrollment, increase to $57,040 at eight years, and reach $62,908 at ten years, representing 29.2% growth from the six-year baseline.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $17,350 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Student debt levels at CSU San Marcos remain manageable relative to earnings outcomes and peer institutions. Median student debt reaches $17,350 upon graduation, below the peer median of $20,000 and representing $2,650 in savings compared to similar institutions.
California State University-San Marcos achieves above average return on investment through a combination of controlled costs and earnings that exceed expectations relative to student demographics. The institution ranks at the 66.6th percentile for return performance, driven by graduates earning $7,947 beyond predicted levels based on their backgrounds and institutional characteristics.
Approximately 26.9% of CSU San Marcos graduates continue to graduate or professional study, based on program mix analysis with high confidence. This ...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate the diversity of career pathways available at CSU San Marcos while highlighting fields with exceptional financial returns. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads with median earnings of $94,706, reflecting strong healthcare demand and professional certification requirements.
Computer Science graduates earn $93,753, indicating competitive preparation for technology careers. Business Administration graduates, representing the largest cohort with 613 students, earn solid $62,002 median income.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at CSU San Marcos shows meaningful variation that reflects diverse career outcomes across the institution's program portfolio. With earnings ranging from $37,472 at the 25th percentile to $87,350 at the 75th percentile, graduates experience a 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
