Texas State vs. Texas A&M

Comparable Facts

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

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than Texas State based on total student enrollment (78,321 students vs. 40,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas A&M University College Station is in College Station, TX (Small City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; Texas A&M University College Station 20:1.

Texas State vs. Texas A&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M ($15,716 vs. $21,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 2.9% lower than at Texas A&M University College Station ($12,630 vs. $13,008).
• Texas A&M University College Station is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $1,704 more per year; $13,154.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75% higher at Texas A&M than at Texas State University (about $17,194 more per year; $40,124.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas State University than at Texas A&M University College Station (76% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($12,580 vs. $12,556).

Texas State vs. Texas A&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Texas State or Texas A&M? 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 A&M and Texas State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas A&M University College Station (1280) is 190 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming Texas A&M 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: Texas State University 980/1200; Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; Texas A&M University College Station 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; Texas A&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Texas A&M students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than Texas A&M (57.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 39.9% at Texas A&M.

Texas State vs. Texas A&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and Texas A&M? 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).

• Texas A&M University College Station's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Texas A&M University College Station earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,600 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas A&M University College Station graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, Texas A&M graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($193 vs. $219).
• More Texas A&M graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.