Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance is intended to help you build a budget and ensure you have a plan for the nine-month academic year. Standard expenses include the cost of tuition fees, books and supplies for two semesters of full-time enrollment, as well as an allowance for food, housing, and other personal expenses based on where you plan to live while in school.

We include the following elements in our Cost of Attendance: 

• Tuition and Fees 
• Living Expenses (Food and Housing) 
• Transportation
• Books and Supplies
• Personal Expenses 
• Direct Loan origination fees (are only included for those that borrow) 

Except for tuition and fees (and on-campus food and housing), all other components of our Cost of Attendance are based on the data from the Student Expenses and Resources Survey administered by the California Student Aid Commission. The survey is conducted every three years (the last survey was conducted in 2021) and results are updated annually based on inflation for non-surveyed years. The last survey was conducted in 2021, and 239 CSUSM students responded to the survey. The results are updated annually based on inflation for non-surveyed years. 

2023-24 Cost of Attendance - Full Year (Fall/Spring)

• Undergraduate/Resident/Full-Time

  Undergraduate/Resident/Full-Time**

  Fee	Living with Parents or Relatives	Living On-Campus	Living Off-Campus
  Tuition Fee	$5,742	$5,742	$5,742
  Mandatory Fees	$1,992	$1,992	$1,992
  Books and Supplies	$1,018	$1,018	$1,018
  Living Expenses (Housing & Food)	$8,182	$14,152	$20,254
  Transportation	$2,594	$1,342	$2,738
  Personal/Misc.	$2,784	$2,372	$3,552
  Federal Loan Origination Fee	$78	$78	$78
  Total	$22,390	$26,696	$35,374

• Undergraduate/Non-Resident/Full-Time

  Undergraduate/Non-Resident/Full-Time**

  Fee	Undergraduate Living with Parents or Relatives	Undergraduate Living On-Campus	Undergraduate Living Off-Campus
  Tuition Fee	$15,246	$15,246	$15,246
  Mandatory Fees	$1,992	$1,992	$1,992
  Books and Supplies	$1,018	$1,018	$1,018
  Living Expenses (Housing & Food)	$8,182	$14,152	$20,254
  Transportation	$2,594	$1,342	$2,738
  Personal/Misc.	$2,784	$2,372	$3,552
  Federal Loan Origination Fee	$78	$78	$78
  Total	$31,894	$36,200	$44,878
  ** Non-Resident full-time tuition fees are based on 12 units per term.

• Undergraduate/Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Scholar/Full-Time

  Undergraduate/Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)/Full-Time

  Fee	Undergraduate Living with Parents or Relatives	Undergraduate Living On Campus	Undergraduate Living Off Campus
  Tuition Fee	$8,613	$8,613	$8,613
  Mandatory Fees	$1,992	$1,992	$1,992
  Books and Supplies	$1,018	$1,018	$1,018
  Living Expenses (Housing & Food)	$8,182	$14,152	$20,254
  Transportation	$2,594	$1,342	$2,738
  Personal/Misc.	$2,784	$2,372	$3,552
  Loan Fee	$78	$78	$78
  Total	$25,261	$29,567	$38,245

• Graduate/Resident/Full-Time

  Graduate/Resident/Full-Time*

  	Living with Parents or Relatives	Living On-Campus	Living Off-Campus
  Tuition Fee**	$7,176	$7,176	$7,176
  Mandatory Fees **	$1,992	$1,992	$1,992
  Books and Supplies	$1,018	$1,018	$1,018
  Living Expenses (Housing & Food)	$8,182	$14,152	$20,254
  Transportation	$2,594	$1,342	$2,738
  Personal/Misc.	$2,784	$2,372	$3,552
  Federal Loan Origination Fee	$78	$78	$78
  Total	$23,824	$28,130	$36,808

  * Resident full-time tuition fees are based on 7 or more units per term.

  ** Graduate Professional Business Fees are an additional $270 per units in addition to the fees listed.

• 2023-24 Graduate/Non-Resident/Full-Time

  Graduate/Non-Resident/Full-Time**

  Fee	Graduate Living with Parents or Relatives	Graduate Living On/Off Campus	Graduate Living On/Off Campus
  Tuition Fee**	$16,680	$16,680	$16,680
  Mandatory Fees **	$1,992	$1,992	$1,992
  Books and Supplies	$1,018	$1,018	$1,018
  Living Expenses (Housing & Food)	$8,182	$14,152	$20,254
  Transportation	$2,594	$1,342	$2,738
  Personal/Misc.	$2,784	$2,372	$3,552
  Federal Loan Origination Fee	$78	$78	$78
  Total	$33,328	$37,634	$46,312

  ** Non-Resident full-time tuition fees are based on 12 units per term.

  ** Graduate Professional Business Fees are an additional $270 per units in addition to the fees listed.

Using the student’s corresponding cost of attendance figures below, parents and students may Estimate your Cost of Attendance to help determine approximate costs.

When your financial aid award notification is emailed to you, it includes directions to the Financial Planning Sheet. This document is prefilled with your cost of attendance, your financial aid and provides you with the Net Cost. 

For Informational purposes only: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990 the California State University San Marcos provides the typical market cost of a one bedroom apartment in the San Marcos area. 

1 Bedroom: $2201 per month

The food and housing expenses included in the off-campus Cost of Attendance represent the typical costs students pay when enrolled at California State University San Marcos. Actual costs of room and board will vary.  Many students living off-campus have roommates, which decreases their housing costs.