Texas State vs. UTEP

Comparable Facts

Compare Texas State University in San Marcos, TX with The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than UTEP based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 25,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); The University of Texas at El Paso is in El Paso, TX (Large City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1.

Texas State vs. UTEP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso than Texas State ($9,305 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at El Paso are 14% lower than at Texas State University ($10,864 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTEP (about $1,706 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $9,744.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.2% higher at UTEP than at Texas State University (about $2,572 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at El Paso than at Texas State University (82% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 18.8% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students ($12,556 vs. $10,571).

Texas State vs. UTEP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 120 points higher than at UTEP (970).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at UTEP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 980/1200; The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; UTEP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; UTEP May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at UTEP (3.3).
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 33.5% at UTEP.

Texas State vs. UTEP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and UTEP? 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 The University of Texas at El Paso's (37%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than UTEP graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($17,250 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($178 vs. $219).
• More Texas State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTEP students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 45%)

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.