Texas Woman's University vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than Texas Woman's University based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 15,361 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas Woman's University is located in Denton, TX (Midsize City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Texas Woman's University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas Woman's University 16:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Texas Woman's University vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas Woman's University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos than Texas Woman's University ($10,241 vs. $11,636).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Woman's University are 16.4% lower than at California State University San Marcos ($11,826 vs. $14,152).
• Texas Woman's University is 6.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $558 more per year; $8,640.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at Texas Woman's University (about $2,202 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $18,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Woman's University than at California State University San Marcos (88% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 7.9% larger than aid received by Texas Woman's University students ($11,123 vs. $10,309).

Texas Woman's University vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Texas Woman's University or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Texas Woman's University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Woman's University (1040) is the same as at California State University-San Marcos (1040).
• Incoming Texas Woman's University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Woman's University 930/1140; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Woman's University 17/23; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas Woman's University - Test-free; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Texas Woman's University (3.24).
• Texas Woman's University has a higher acceptance rate (96.1%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Texas Woman's University vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Texas Woman's University vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas Woman's University and California State University-San Marcos? 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Texas Woman's University's (39%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $500 more per year than Texas Woman's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $2,005 lower median loan debt than Texas Woman's University graduates ($17,995 vs. $20,000).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Woman's University graduates ($186 vs. $206).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Woman's University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 54%)

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.