Texas State University vs The University of Texas at San Antonio
Both universities offer similar admission accessibility, with Texas State accepting 87.7% of applicants compared to UTSA's 86.9% acceptance rate. However, significant differences emerge in cost and value propositions.
UTSA provides better financial value with in-state tuition of $8,991 versus Texas State's $11,450. The average net price gap is substantial: UTSA students pay $11,234 compared to $16,438 at Texas State. Both schools require similar debt loads around $20,500-$21,000, but UTSA graduates earn slightly more at $57,131 versus $56,906 after ten years.
Academically, Texas State maintains a better student-faculty ratio of 21:1 compared to UTSA's 25:1, potentially offering more personalized attention. Texas State also achieves a higher six-year graduation rate of 56.2% versus UTSA's 51.2%, though UTSA shows stronger first-year retention at 79.4% compared to 77.5%.
Campus experiences differ significantly by location and size. Texas State's San Marcos setting offers a traditional college town atmosphere with 34,547 students, while UTSA's urban San Antonio location serves 29,675 students with greater internship and cultural opportunities in Texas's seventh-largest city.
Both universities compete in NCAA Division I athletics, providing similar recreational and school spirit opportunities.
Career outcomes remain comparable, with both schools producing graduates earning mid-to-upper $50,000s annually. UTSA's urban connections may provide networking advantages, while Texas State's college town environment could offer stronger campus community bonds.
Students prioritizing affordability and urban opportunities should choose UTSA, while those seeking traditional college experiences with smaller class sizes fit Texas State better.
Both universities offer similar admission accessibility, with Texas State accepting 87.7% of applicants compared to UTSA's 86.9% acceptance rate. However, significant differences emerge in cost and value propositions.
UTSA provides better financial value with in-state tuition of $8,991 versus Texas State's $11,450. The average net price gap is substantial: UTSA students pay $11,234 compared to $16,438 at Texas State. Both schools require similar debt loads around $20,500-$21,000, but UTSA graduates earn slightly more at $57,131 versus $56,906 after ten years.
Academically, Texas State maintains a better student-faculty ratio of 21:1 compared to UTSA's 25:1, potentially offering more personalized attention. Texas State also achieves a higher six-year graduation rate of 56.2% versus UTSA's 51.2%, though UTSA shows stronger first-year retention at 79.4% compared to 77.5%.
Campus experiences differ significantly by location and size. Texas State's San Marcos setting offers a traditional college town atmosphere with 34,547 students, while UTSA's urban San Antonio location serves 29,675 students with greater internship and cultural opportunities in Texas's seventh-largest city.
Both universities compete in NCAA Division I athletics, providing similar recreational and school spirit opportunities.
Career outcomes remain comparable, with both schools producing graduates earning mid-to-upper $50,000s annually. UTSA's urban connections may provide networking advantages, while Texas State's college town environment could offer stronger campus community bonds.
Students prioritizing affordability and urban opportunities should choose UTSA, while those seeking traditional college experiences with smaller class sizes fit Texas State better.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Texas State University | The University of Texas at San Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 87.7% | 86.9% |
| SAT Average | 1,080 | 1,115 |
| Enrollment | 34,547 | 29,675 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,450 | $8,991 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $23,210 | $21,965 |
| Net Price | $16,438 | $11,234 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.2% | 51.2% |
| Retention Rate | 77.5% | 79.4% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $56,906 | $57,131 |
| Median Debt | $21,000 | $20,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Texas State University | The University of Texas at San Antonio | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Science. | $72,274 | Computer Engineering. | $68,907 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $68,858 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $62,734 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $67,660 | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | $61,218 |
| Industrial Engineering. | $65,557 | Civil Engineering. | $60,771 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $60,207 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $60,264 |