# California State University San Marcos

> public university in San Marcos, California, USA

**Wikidata**: [Q624691](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q624691)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_State_University,_San_Marcos)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/california-state-university-san-marcos

## Summary  
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) is a public university founded in 1989 as part of the California State University system. Located in San Marcos, California, it serves over 16,000 students (as of 2020) and offers undergraduate and graduate programs across disciplines. The university emphasizes accessibility, academic innovation, and community engagement in North San Diego County.  

## Key Facts  
- **Founded**: 1989.  
- **Type**: Public university; part of the California State University system.  
- **Location**: 33.1283° N, 117.1594° W (San Marcos, California, USA).  
- **Students**: 16,367 enrolled (2020); 13,918 full-time equivalent (2021).  
- **Employees**: 1,647 staff (2020).  
- **Endowment**: $31,187,653 (2022) and $35,766,462 (2021).  
- **Admission Rate**: 79% (2020); yield rate 18% (2020).  
- **Academic Calendar**: Semester-based.  
- **Memberships**: Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), American Council on Education (ACE), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).  
- **Athletics**: Competes as the Cal State San Marcos Cougars.  
- **Classifications**: Carnegie classifications include "master's colleges and universities: medium programs," "very high undergraduate," and "postbaccalaureate: education-dominant."  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was CSUSM founded?  
A: California State University San Marcos was established in 1989 as the 20th campus in the California State University system.  

### Q: How many students attend CSUSM?  
A: As of 2020, the university enrolled 16,367 students, with 13,918 full-time equivalents reported in 2021.  

### Q: What organizations is CSUSM affiliated with?  
A: CSUSM holds memberships in the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), American Council on Education (ACE), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU).  

### Q: What are CSUSM’s admission statistics?  
A: In 2020, the university had a 79% admission rate and an 18% yield rate, reflecting its accessible yet selective approach to enrollment.  

### Q: Does CSUSM have athletic programs?  
A: Yes, the university’s athletics teams, the Cal State San Marcos Cougars, compete in NCAA Division II.  

## Why It Matters  
CSUSM plays a pivotal role in expanding higher education access in Southern California, particularly in North San Diego County. As a public institution, it prioritizes affordability and inclusivity, contributing to regional economic growth through workforce development and research. Its modern founding (1989) reflects California’s commitment to evolving educational needs, and its rapid growth underscores its relevance in contemporary academia. The university’s focus on undergraduate education, paired with graduate and professional programs, positions it as a critical resource for both local communities and the broader state.  

## Notable For  
- **Founding**: Established in 1989 as one of the newer campuses in the California State University system.  
- **Academic Scope**: Offers programs across disciplines, with Carnegie classifications highlighting its balance of arts, sciences, and professional studies.  
- **Athletics**: Home to the NCAA Division II Cougars teams.  
- **Growth**: Expanded from 0 to over 16,000 students within three decades.  
- **Community Focus**: Emphasizes partnerships with local industries and organizations to drive regional development.  

## Body  
### History and Governance  
CSUSM was founded in 1989 as part of the 23-campus California State University system, the largest public university system in the U.S. It operates under the governance of the CSU Board of Trustees and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).  

### Academics  
- **Structure**: Semester-based calendar with programs spanning liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields.  
- **Classifications**: Recognized by the Carnegie Classification system for its medium-sized master’s programs, education-dominant postbaccalaureate focus, and high undergraduate enrollment.  
- **Students**: Served 16,367 students in 2020, with 13,918 full-time equivalents reported in 2021.  

### Administration and Finance  
- **Endowment**: Grew from $35.7 million (2021) to $31.2 million (2022), reflecting strategic financial management.  
- **Employment**: Employs 1,647 staff (2020), contributing to the local economy.  

### Campus and Location  
- **Address**: 333 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92096-0001.  
- **Coordinates**: 33.1283° N, 117.1594° W.  
- **Online Presence**: Website (csusm.edu), social media (@csusm on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook), and subreddit (r/csusm).  

### Admissions  
- **Rates**: 79% of applicants admitted in 2020, with an 18% yield rate.  
- **Accessibility**: Focus on inclusive admissions, supporting diverse student populations.  

### Memberships and Affiliations  
CSUSM engages with national and regional organizations to advance higher education standards:  
- **AAC&U**: Promotes liberal education and equity.  
- **ACE**: Advocates for public policy and institutional leadership.  
- **AASCU**: Supports state-funded universities in driving social mobility.  
- **CUMU**: Fosters urban and metropolitan university collaboration.  

### Athletics and Culture  
- **Teams**: The Cougars compete in NCAA Division II, offering 14 varsity sports.  
- **Community**: Active alumni network and campus events, including cultural and academic festivals.  

### Identifiers and Recognition  
- **IDs**: VIAF (146790124), ISNI (0000000098947796), ROR (01j8e0j24), GRID (grid.253566.1).  
- **Library**: Holdings indexed in the Library of Congress (LCCN n2005040556).  
- **Publications**: Featured in *Encyclopædia Britannica* and academic directories.  

### Technology and Infrastructure  
- **API Endpoint**: Utilizes Shibboleth for secure authentication (https://idp.csusm.edu).  
- **Open Research**: Participates in the Open Funder Registry (ID 100007789).  

### Global Context  
While rooted in California, CSUSM connects internationally through partnerships and research, though it primarily serves regional and statewide populations. Its academic model aligns with global standards for public universities, emphasizing both teaching and community impact.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120073011/https://secure.aacu.org/iMIS/AACUR/Membership/MemberListAACU.aspx)
5. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240120080233/https://acememberdirectory.azurewebsites.net/)
6. [Source](https://aascu.org/our-members/)
7. [Source](https://www.cumuonline.org/membership/cumu-members/)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. GeoNames
10. [Source](http://www.csusm.edu)
11. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). National Association of College and University Business Officers. 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
12. GRID Release 2015-12-14
13. GRID Release 2016-12-06
14. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
15. Quora
16. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
17. [Source](https://orcid.org/signin)
18. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
19. [U.S. and Canadian 2022 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2022 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY21 to FY22, and FY22 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student (Excel). 2023](https://www.nacubo.org/Research/2022/Public-NTSE-Tables)
20. HAL
21. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
22. National Center for Education Statistics