Texas State vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Texas State vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or TLU? 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 TLU ($15,716 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Lutheran University are 2.2% lower than at Texas State University ($12,350 vs. $12,630).
• Texas Lutheran University is 216.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $24,780 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58% higher at TLU than at Texas State University (about $13,300 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Texas State University (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 98% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($24,861 vs. $12,556).

Texas State vs. TLU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Lutheran University (1130) is 40 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming TLU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 980/1200; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 16.8% at TLU.

Texas State vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and TLU? 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 Lutheran University's (49%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $400 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($21,250 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($219 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.