Texas State vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than TCU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 12,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Texas State vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or TCU? 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 TCU ($15,716 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 24.4% lower than at Texas Christian University ($12,630 vs. $16,700).
• Texas Christian University is 439.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $50,290 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 169.3% higher at TCU than at Texas State University (about $38,810 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at Texas State University (80% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Christian University students is 178.6% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($34,975 vs. $12,556).

Texas State vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Christian University (1250) is 160 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming TCU 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 Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TCU 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 TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Texas State vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and TCU? 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 Christian University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Texas Christian University earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,600 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($21,250 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($219 vs. $222).
• More TCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.