Acceptance Rate
89%
Avg. SAT
1200
75th percentile
“Riverside public powerhouse where San Marcos River floats fuel Bobcat pride amid rapid growth.”
San Marcos, TX
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
Texas State University traces its roots to 1899, when it opened as Southwest Texas State Normal School in a small Hill Country town to train teachers. Over decades, it evolved into a sprawling public research university with over 36,000 undergraduates, shedding its old name in 2005 through a statewide vote. You'll find a friendly, energetic personality here—think spirited football crowds and outdoor enthusiasts who embrace the Texas sun. San Marcos offers a quintessential college town feel, sandwiched between Austin and San Antonio, with spring-fed rivers and barbecue joints galore. Students who thrive chase big-school resources on a budget and love warm weather adventures; those craving small seminars or constant hand-holding might feel lost in the scale. Tradeoffs include large introductory classes and parking challenges on a campus that's still expanding.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
In classrooms, expect a mix of massive lecture halls for intro courses and smaller seminars once you declare a major, reflecting the university's size. Strengths shine in mass communication, where students produce real news broadcasts, education for future teachers, music with performance opportunities, and computer science amid Texas tech demand. Research ramps up for juniors and seniors, especially in applied fields like geographic information systems. Faculty bring practical experience, but with thousands of undergrads, personal advising requires initiative from you. Popular majors like business fill quickly, so early focus helps. The intellectual vibe stays practical and career-oriented rather than purely theoretical.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
36,236 undergrad • 4,438 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
39%
Black / African American
9%
Hispanic / Latino
41%
Asian
3%
Other / Multi-racial
8%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
San Marcos, TX
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus buzzes with Bobcat football tailgates, river tubing on the San Marcos, and live music at local venues—picture weekends floating the spring-fed waterway with friends. Greek life draws about 10 percent, while over 400 clubs cover everything from hiking to debate. Residential life spreads across 16 halls with themes like wellness or quiet study, though upperclassmen often hunt off-campus spots as demand grows. A typical week blends classes, intramurals, and Thursday bar hops, with hot summers pushing activities indoors. The social scene feels welcoming and active, but the large size means forging connections takes effort, and San Marcos living costs creep up near Austin levels.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Sun Belt Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
80%
4 Years Graduation Rate
46%
6 Years Graduation Rate
63%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$56,906
80% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Texas State University and return in the fall. 46% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 63% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
46%
4-5 years
17%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
35%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$8,606
Acceptance
89%
Undergrads
36,236
4-Year Grad Rate
46%
Endowment
$359M
San Marcos, TX 78666
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