Texas State vs. TC

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than TC based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 614 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas College is in Tyler, TX (Small City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; Texas College 17:1.

Texas State vs. TC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or TC? 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 College than Texas State ($10,958 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas College are 36.7% lower than at Texas State University ($8,000 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than TC (about $1,442 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $10,008.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 129.1% higher at Texas State than at Texas College (about $12,922 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $10,008.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas College than at Texas State University (80% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 33.8% larger than aid received by Texas College students ($12,556 vs. $9,381).

Texas State vs. TC Admissions comparison

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

• 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; TC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas State students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at TC (2.9).

Texas State vs. TC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and TC? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Texas College's (6%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $21,400 more per year than TC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $27,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $9,750 lower median loan debt than TC graduates ($21,250 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TC graduates ($219 vs. $320).
• More Texas State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TC students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 14%)

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.