SU vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, 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 SU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Texas State University 21:1.

SU vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU 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 Texas State University than SU ($15,716 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 16.2% lower than at Southwestern University ($12,630 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 370% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $42,363 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.7% higher at SU than at Texas State University (about $30,883 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Texas State University (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 180% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($35,162 vs. $12,556).

SU vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU or Texas State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Texas State and SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 130 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming SU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 1130/1300; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 26/30; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027; Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

SU vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU and Texas State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $5,643 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($21,250 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($219 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.