Texas State vs. South Texas College

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than South Texas College based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 27,431 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); South Texas College is in McAllen, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Texas College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; South Texas College 22:1.

Texas State vs. South Texas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or South Texas College? 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 South Texas College than Texas State ($1,844 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Texas College are 31.6% lower than at Texas State University ($8,638 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 119.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Texas College (about $6,230 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 200.9% higher at Texas State than at South Texas College (about $15,310 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $7,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Texas College than at Texas State University (86% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 66.4% larger than aid received by South Texas College students ($12,556 vs. $7,547).

Texas State vs. South Texas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Texas State or South Texas College? 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 South Texas College and Texas State.

• South Texas College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; South Texas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; South Texas College Jun 18, 2027.

Texas State vs. South Texas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and South Texas College? 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).

• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than South Texas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.