Texas State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
San Marcos, Texas · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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Texas State University is a public university in San Marcos, Texas that admits about 91% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $16,805 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 55% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.2 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Texas State University is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. For the most recent reporting cycle, Texas State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 91%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1070 and an ACT composite around 22. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,805 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Texas State University?
Texas State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What does Texas State University weight in admissions?
Texas State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Class rank
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores Texas State University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 480–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 550. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 960 |
| 50th percentile | 1070 |
| 75th percentile | 1180 |
| % submitting SAT | 40% |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 22 |
| 75th percentile | 25 |
| % submitting ACT | 6% |
- • Tests required: Standardized test scores are part of the standard application package.
- • Policy detail: Required for some
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 12% |
| Top 25% of class | 42% |
| Top 50% of class | 76% |
| % submitting class rank | 99% |
How much does Texas State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $11,450 for in-state students and $22,930 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,630 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,805 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 37% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $16,805 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Texas State University
| Regular deadline | 7/15 |
| Reply deadline | No set date |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Texas State University?
These predict outcomes at Texas State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Texas State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Texas State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, Texas State University confers roughly 2,960 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,984 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 523 | $49,984 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 414 | $57,963 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 411 | $68,669 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 386 | $57,471 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 351 | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 339 | $54,099 |
| Marketing | 295 | $72,788 |
| Computer Science | 241 | $113,108 |
Is Texas State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Texas State University disclosed 153 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.2 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 28 violent offenses and 58 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Texas State University?
About 25% of undergraduates at Texas State University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 5% of men join a fraternity and 5% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Texas parents ask about
- University of North Texas72% acceptance
- Texas Tech University73% acceptance
- University of Texas at Arlington80% acceptance
- University of Texas at Dallas65% acceptance
- University of Texas at San Antonio87% acceptance
- Trinity University26% acceptance
- Southwestern University43% acceptance
- Austin College48% acceptance
Next steps for Texas State University
Common questions parents ask about Texas State University
What GPA do I need for Texas State University?
Texas State University has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does Texas State University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 480–590, with an EBRW midpoint near 550. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 19–25.
How much does Texas State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Texas State University after grants and scholarships is $16,805 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $11,450 and $22,930 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Texas State University realistic for my child?
Texas State University admits 91% of applicants, so 480–590 SAT Math is target range and below 480 is a reach. Then check the $16,805 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Texas State University?
Texas State University accepts about 91% of applicants out of roughly 44,436 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Texas State University test-optional?
No. Texas State University requires SAT or ACT scores as part of a standard application.
What is the graduation rate at Texas State University?
About 55% of students at Texas State University graduate within six years. 80% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Texas State University look for in applicants?
Texas State University rates class rank and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Texas State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Texas State University is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas.
What are the most popular majors at Texas State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Texas State University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 2,960 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Texas State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Texas State University reported 153 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.2 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Texas State University?
At Texas State University, 25% of undergraduates live on campus, 5% of men are in fraternities, 5% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Texas State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers