California State University San Marcos

California State University, San Marcos – California

California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM), is a dynamic public university within the 23-campus California State University system. Founded in 1989, the university is situated on the scenic hills of the inland region in the north of San Diego County. CSUSM admitted its first postgraduate students in 1990 and began admitting undergraduate students in 1995. As of the autumn of 2024, it is home to approximately 15,431 students (14,246 undergraduates and 1,185 postgraduates).

The university comprises four faculties: Business Administration; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; Humanities, Arts, Behavioural and Social Sciences; and Education, Health and Human Services. CSUSM offers 43 undergraduate, 24 postgraduate and doctoral programmes run in partnership with UC San Diego.

The 304 dönüm main campus has been designed with a focus on student success and safety, and is consistently recognised as one of the safest university towns in the US. Its modern facilities include the Kellogg Library, Craven Hall, the Sports Centre, student accommodation (University Village Apartments, the Quad, North Commons) and the Sprinter train line, which facilitates transport. The Temecula satellite campus offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in subjects such as nursing, business, criminology, kinesiology and software engineering.

Campus life is very vibrant: there are over 100 student societies and a student newspaper The Cougar Chronicle There is also the University Student Union, which houses cultural centres and offers a variety of dining options and relaxation areas. Through initiatives such as the new student accommodation, Black Oak Hall, and Kwilla Dining, the university is taking the lead in collaboration with the local community and student wellbeing.

In sport, the CSUSM Cougars teams compete in 13 disciplines within the California Collegiate Athletic Association, part of the NCAA Division II. The athletics programme began in 1998 and comprises basketball, baseball, softball, golf, football, athletics and volleyball.

Featured Episodes: Business, Criminology and Justice Studies, Psychology, Biological Sciences, Nursing, Kinesiology, Biotechnology, Software Engineering

Arrangement: U.S. News & World Report 2025 – Regional Universities (West): Ranked 22nd

Location: San Marcos, California, USA; additional campus: Temecula, California

Year of Establishment: 1989