California State University San Marcos

I graduated from the university in May of 2016.
The question you are probably asking is if you should attend here or not. Here is the deal– the school is in no way prestigious and will not be in the foreseeable future. We also lack many hard science majors like all engineering degrees and cool majors like biochem. However, the school has awesome school «feel», expanding rapidly, low student-​faculty ratio and cheap.
We recently got into NCAA D2 and have a new basketball stadium as well as a new student union. Most of the professors went to top quality universities (UCSD, UCLA, CAL, USC etc.)
CSUSM, like other CSUs, is hurting for cash. The faculty members of the CSU finally got their first pay raise in many years. Nevertheless they and the staff members are not fairly compensated in my opinion but are doing an excellent job in keeping students active and engage– especially for being a commuter school.
I was a transfer student and didn’t have enough UC credits transfer to a University of California. However, I liked coming here and do not regret it.

Excellent university that hasn’t been around for too long, but they care about people. People from any background, all they want is to see the underdog come out on top. What more can you ask for? Their programs are tailored to the working person. I hope to see more universities follow suit. Go cougars!!!

This is a beautiful campus! I actually attend school at an off-​campus site of CSUSM so I don’t regularly attend class here on the main campus. Parking is terribly expensive– $ 9 for an all day pass if you’re planning on being here for more than 4 hours! Parking is also very hard to find during the semester on a weekday. You need a parking pass on a weekend as well.
The campus is super clean and has great views.
I highly recommend you stop by if you’re looking for lots of steps for your workout because it is definitely a workout to navigate through the campus!

I will begin my senior year in the Fall and every class I need to graduate is full. Stay away from this school if you want to graduate in less than 6 years. They don’t know what they’re doing here. They take your money and can’t provide enough sections for your education.

Cal State San Marcos has a beautiful campus! Most of the buildings such as Markstein Hall, University Student Union, and Social and Behavioral Science Building are new. The new gym will be opening in Fall 2016 and I am really excited for Home basketball and volleyball games. I am a pre-​health major (hopefully nursing soon) and the advisers for nursing really tell you the truth about impaction for the Cal State nursing program. They have 2 orientations during freshman year about the golden four (Speech, Statistics, Philosophy, and Writing) and getting into the science courses for sophomore year. The weather is sunny and awesome in Southern California. The food choices are limited on campus though. Panda Express, Starbucks, Jamba Juice are the most popular. Thankfully, if you drive there’s In n Out, Chick fil a, Chipotle less than 2 miles away from campus. Getting involved with student organizations is really encouraged and there are big fairs such as Health and Wellness, International, and Career that are open to the whole campus. Classes are usually within 25 – 40 students. By the way, there are alot of stairs but there are elevators if you get tired.

The most horrible university, they just want to make money by failing people although i passed my classes but i have lot of friends. thy will not even inform you about it, they will make you walk in graduation ceremony and then you know you dint pass the class. horrible faultily and for most the recent addition SAMBA COURSE only money making. hated it to the core. not supportive not organised they started the course they dint even have faulty. i regret wasting my years and money. RATHER GET INTO BETTER UNIVERSITY. DO NOT WASTE YOUR CAREER. THEY OFFER MBA BUT NO CAMPUS PLACEMENTS.

A great place to change your life!
The university is growing in size and credentials.
With several options to choose from CSUSM definitely a good choice for higher learning.
The parking garage is not far from the buildings and accessing the campus is a cinch being only a few blocks from the 78.
Most of the campus is fairly new less than 10 years old and all the equipment is state of the art.
The gym is also current. For those searching for a reasonably priced education and more bang for your buck, go to CSUSM.
si se puede

I have one more year before I graduate and I have really enjoyed coming to school here. I wish the art department was bigger and I wish they had a cheer team and football team but the University is newer so I didn’t expect it:)
The parking pass is the biggest negative, around $ 350 for just a semester parking pass:/ but I can always find parking!
Every semester I have been here they keep adding stuff so the school is growing! The new gym is on the way! Yay!
Go COUGARS!

What can I say about CSU Stair Master… err I mean CSUSM? I was here long before there was a parking structure, long before graduations were on campus grounds, and just when the Kellogg Library was new. Now there are tons of new buildings and a 6-​floor parking structure… So that’s where my money went into!
This place gives me a good workout when I’m not extremely lazy, and by that their nickname will help you out with why. Also the general moving places around will make you walk more too. A lot of the student organizations (bigger ones) have situated themselves in the nice University Student Union near the library and the University Bookstore/​Store has since moved from Craven Hall to the dome (or Commons as some of you newer students call it).
Gone are the food places like Superhero Subs, Chinese Wok, and the like, which have been replaced with actual chains like Subway, Panda Express, Jamba Juice… honestly the list goes on. We still have the coffee cart by Academic Hall and Science I buildings and the Starbucks location by the library – there is another little java/​coffee corner nestled in the USU (if you like tea lattes, get the coconut cocoa black tea latte iced or hot… so good!!).
This place is a pretty penny and tuition and parking fees will likely continue being on the rise as more buildings are being built or on a blueprint. For what it’s worth, for the school being 25 years old, it still looks relatively new.

My child goes to this small school. It’s relatively new, but ugly as it looks like a hospital.
The dorms are expensive and don’t come with a meal plan. Instead you have to go to the grocery store buy your own food and prepare it in your room’s kitchen, so it will be helpful to have a car. Parking is about $ 600 per semester. Wow!
The Quad is the newer better looking dorm and the worst. Last year’s students are abandoning it, heading for the other dorm in such great numbers that they’re now offering discounts for the Quad. It’s appliances break down a lot, it’s got no parking, the pool is microscopic, and it’s further away across the street from the school.
Campus police have been known to harass people who aren’t doing anything wrong.
Most of the professors are professional.
There’s no campus life. This school is way way below SDSU and UCSD. But is better than community college.

I used to be a vendor here. The buildings are beautiful! It’s a wonderful place.
The staff are very courteous and professional.
The programs are expanding, and they even have a program that pairs music and motion that prevents falls in older adults. I just love this innovation.
Very nice campus.

I’m a little bias because I graduated here and so did my brother. I always have to visit here when I’m in SM. even to just drive by for that feeling of reminiscing.
The professors are great and still keep in touch with some. If you are transferring for to CSUSm.

I have had several positive experiences with Cal State University San Marcos (although I am not a graduate of this college).
It’s a great local college, in an area that is fast becoming the North County education center. CSUSM is continuing to expand their programs, some in medical and palliative care areas (these are areas where I attend a lot of talks). Today, I attended a service learning awards ceremony (something that is so needed and meaningful in society). The event was a working event and I was fortunate to honor a team of students that put a short video together serving non-​profit work in North County San Diego.
The event took place at the McMahon House which has a lovely clubhouse feel overlooking the track field. Some things I took note of is: the ample parking, easy access to the Sprinter, the clean campus, modern equipment, and well lit walkways and signage.
I will continue to support local program with a purpose. Go Cougars!

Awesome college– professors are great, school is new and always being updated. Classes are not over crowded and you get the real teacher to student experience. I’ve been a student here for a couple years now and I love it.
The media gives it a ton of grief because of the «date rapes» and frat involvement. Honestly this isn’t your normal university. The sororities and frats aren’t on campus and frankly I’m not even sure where they are! Dorms are brand new and they are building a tiny town within it.
Food trucks at night!
Tuition more reasonable than your average state school!

How new is this school??? Super clean like its brand new! I miss school :(good thing i start in a couple weeks!
anyways… the chamorro festival was held here this year. It was on their grass /​lawn area. So much fun. Great set up. Performances on the amphitheater next to the cafeteria.
Great vendors, people, music, food! I bought a tank top :)

Yes, I used to be a cougar.
Nice campus. Diverse student population of that time (2009 – 2010) was ok, I remember being the only aZn chick in one or three of my classes #NBD. Walking distant/​commute kinda environment. Ooh they have a Starbucks. Dr. Black is one hell of a psych professor, he don’t play. Counseling dept was coo. Beautiful weather, not bipolar like Sacramento. Beach is super nearby. CSUSM = CSU San Marcos? More like CSU StairMaster.

California State San Get Ready for A Leg Workout Marcos! If you survive the many stairs, learning how to weave in an out of various buildings and hallways to get to classes that much faster, although never really avoiding the stair climbing, you’ll gain an appreciation for the campus and pair of calves so mighty that they just might trump those of all other CSUs!
I avoid the parking price and headache by taking the Sprinter to school, but alas, this means even more of a workout seeing as the train station is at the base of campus, but conveniently next to the Police Station (thumbs way up for safety!) The walk to campus is no big deal, but compile that with the many steps to be taken once on campus (especially with the majority of my classes taking place in Markstein Hall which basically resides at the TOP of Mount Olympus)…well, I learned to wear shoes instead of flip flops to school.
Both the staff: professors, counselors, administrators, librarians, and the like, alongside the student body make up one friendly cohort. So many clubs, organizations, and associations where faculty and pupils work together for the common good of bettering anything and everything from campus life to mankind.
Want a place to hang out or study? I suggest you find a cozy nook in the beautiful and GIGANTIC Kellogg library, while always bustling with students working on a number of different projects, the clammer is never overwhelming. Or the USU, a more lively atmosphere made specifically for students to convene (without the volume restrictions one would expect of the library).
Class selection is large yet you have to hope for an early enrollment date or be prepared for a wait list! It’s you against thousands of others trying to satisfy their ARR

If i could give 0 stars, i would. If you plan on going to CSUSM, dont. I highly suggest if you do happen to go to CSUSM, dont live in the dorms, more specifically, the QUAD. They are unprofessional and cant do their jobs right. And if you want to move out of the dorms, you cant until your lease contract has been completed.
Although, the school itself is nice, and the professors are understanding and will work with you.

We went to check out the campus for my niece. The campus is very nice located in the hills Of San Marco’s. I was very impressed at the lack of trash or graffiti around. I checked with several students and they all had glowing reviews about the college. This one will definitely be on the list of local colleges to consider.

The best part about CSU San Marcos is the subtle sense of community — not only as a state university but as part of the greater San Marcos community as well. I love the sprawled space between the library and student union, I love the campus coffee cart, I love the new university student union, and of course I love my extended learning location (though some aesthetics could be improved). As of 2014, it was also ranked as the safest four-​year university in California. This campus is one that is extremely new and brimming with potential, so I am excited to see what comes next for this university.