MSU vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX with Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 5,324 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Midwestern State University is located in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Midwestern State University 18:1; Texas State University 21:1.

MSU vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU or Texas State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Midwestern State University than Texas State ($11,215 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 11.9% lower than at Texas State University ($11,124 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $870 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $10,580.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 83% higher at Texas State than at Midwestern State University (about $10,400 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at Texas State University (92% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Midwestern State University students ($12,556 vs. $11,037).

MSU vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU or Texas State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Texas State and MSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 80 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (22 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Midwestern State University 910/1100; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Midwestern State University 16/22; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU - Test-free; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Texas State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at MSU vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

MSU vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU and Texas State? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Texas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $1,049 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,250 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($219 vs. $230).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.