Out-of-State Students

Founded in 1989, California State University San Marcos is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and enrolls more than 11,300 students. We offer a hands-on, real-world curriculum that encourages creativity in solving 21st century problems. CSUSM offers 30 baccalaureate degrees and focuses on giving students the tools needed to lead, serve, and innovate in their workplace and community. The campus is located on 304 acres in the foothills of San Marcos, California, just a short distance from some of Southern California's best beaches. While our campus is expansive, we are tucked into the foothills overlooking the city, creating a tight-knit community right here on campus.

First-Time Freshman

One of CSUSM's freshman admission requirements is completion of a standard set of courses in high school that fall under seven categories, labeled a through g. See the First-Time Freshman Admissions Criteria page for a complete list of requirements.

Lower Division and Upper Division Transfer

A transfer applicant is a prospective student who has taken college courses after the summer following their high school graduation. CSUSM accepts applications from lower-division* and upper-division transfer applicants.

• Lower-division: applicants who have completed fewer than 60 semester (90 quarter) units of college credit are considered lower-division, and must submit official high school and college transcripts.
• Upper-division: applicants who have completed 60 or more (90 quarter) units of college credit are considered upper-division, and must submit official college transcripts only.

In addition, lower-division and upper-division applicants must submit official AP/IB test scores, if using them to meet admission requirements.  

*The Nursing program does not accept lower division transfer applicants. 

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