California State University-San Marcos

What are the graduation rates for students at California State University-San Marcos?

California State University-San Marcos exhibits an overall graduation rate of 54%, positioning it in the lower half nationally with a percentile rank near the 44th. This reflects that just over half of the students complete their degrees within six years, a benchmark often used to assess institutional success. The university's retention rate stands at 75%, indicating that three out of four first-time students persist beyond their first year, which is again a middle-tier performance nationally.

Gender differences in graduation outcomes are evident. Female students graduate at a rate of 58%, slightly outperforming male students whose rate is 47%. Both rates fall within the lower 45th percentile, with men's graduation figures particularly in the bottom 40th percentile nationally. This gap underscores a moderate disparity in academic completion between genders at the institution.

However, timely completion within four years remains a challenge. The four-year graduation rate is notably low at 24%, placing California State University-San Marcos in the bottom 20% compared to peer institutions. This suggests many students require additional time beyond the traditional timeframe to fulfill their degree requirements.

What is the earning potential for graduates at California State University-San Marcos?

Graduates from California State University-San Marcos experience diverse earning outcomes depending on their field of study. Those with degrees in computer-related disciplines, such as Computer Science and Computer Systems Analysis, see some of the highest salaries, with median earnings of $58,962 and $57,393 respectively. Accounting also ranks high, offering graduates a strong median income of $59,252. Registered Nursing stands out notably, with graduates earning a median of $90,827, which is among the top income levels across all programs.

Students pursuing business-focused degrees can expect competitive earnings as well. For instance, those with a degree in Business Administration, Management and Operations have median earnings around $45,186, while Finance and Financial Management Services graduates earn about $45,297. Other business fields like Management Information Systems and Marketing provide median salaries in the low to mid-$40,000 range.

On the science and biology side, graduates generally find moderate earnings. For example, Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology graduates report median earnings of $46,580, followed by Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at about $37,173. Biology majors earn around $32,192, and graduates in Natural Resources Conservation and Research make approximately $31,705.

Degrees in social sciences and humanities tend to correspond with median salaries below $35,000. Political Science and Government graduates report median earnings near $32,978, while Social Sciences general studies yield around $33,589. Criminology and Psychology graduates earn median incomes of about $31,316 and $29,075 respectively. Fields such as English Language and Literature and Visual and Performing Arts generally yield median earnings in the mid-$20,000 range.

Other areas include Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $29,198 and Anthropology at $27,084, while International Business graduates make roughly $41,224. Economics graduates have median earnings of $45,626, indicating solid financial prospects in that field. Overall, earning potential varies widely depending on the specialty, with technology, health sciences, and certain business programs offering the strongest financial outcomes for graduates.