Texas State University is a public research university with its main campus in San Marcos, Texas, in a suburban environment close to Austin. It is a big school with approximately 36,200 undergraduate students. Admissions is fairly competitive with an acceptance rate of around 88%. Some of the most popular majors are Psychology, Business, Nursing & Health Sciences, Education, and Communication. The six-year graduation rate is around 56%, and median earnings for Texas State graduates are around US$42,210 one year following graduation, with longer-term earnings slightly higher.
The University of North Texas (UNT) is a public research university located in Denton, Texas, in a city/suburban-city environment. It is a large university with roughly 35,700 undergraduate students. Admissions are moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 72.5%. Most popular majors are Psychology, Business, Biology, Liberal Arts & Humanities, and Visual & Performing Arts. The six-year graduation rate is about 60%, and median earnings by graduates of UNT are reported near US$36,427 one year after commencement, increasing with more years of experience.
| University of North Texas | Texas State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 901 QS World University 2026 # 718 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 1001 QS World University 2025 | # 1200 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1201 Times Higher Education 2025 # 1316 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 136 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 614 for Medicine by US News 2022 # 101 for Law by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2021 | # 801 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 1201 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023 |
| Programs | UG Programs -97 PG Programs -73 Doctorate Programs -28 | UG Programs -51 PG Programs -49 |
| Acceptance Rate | 72.0 % | 88.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 PTE-53 SAT-1060 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1020 TOEFL-78 |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows:
| Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $140,000 Bachelor of Science: $60,000 Bachelor of Arts: $49,000 |
| application requirements | Submit academic transcripts of all previous education Submit English language proficiency test scores Complete program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.1/10 Read 7 reviews | 7.4/10 Read 2 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 122 for Business by US News 2025 | # 120 for Business by US News 2025 # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | GMAT - 520/800GRE - 307/340IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 53/90TOEFL - 79/120 | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 52/90TOEFL - 78/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -33670 |
| application dates | Oct 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Jan 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Summer Intake) Apr 15, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | University of North Texas | Texas State University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1890 | 1899 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 26:1 | 20:1 |
| Male:Female | 48% Male, 52% Female | 42% Male, 58% Female |
| Location Facts | The main campus is located in Denton, TX, part of the largest metropolitan area in Texas, Dallas-Fort Worth. The campus is 1,200 acres, including the main campus north of I-35E, the Eagle point athletic complex south of I-35E, and Discovery Park, a research campus located between state highways 77 and 380. | The Texas State University main campus is located in San Marcos, Texas, midway between Austin and San Antonio. The university's Round Rock Campus (RRC) is located in Round Rock, Texas, 20 miles (32 km) north of Austin. |
| Library | UNT Libraries are made up of four public service points and two remote storage facilities. Willis Library is the main library on campus, housing the business, economics, education, humanities and social sciences collections along with microforms and special areas such as the Music Library, Government Documents, the Digital Library Division, Archives, and the Rare Book and Texana collections. Statistics are as follows:
| The Alkek library was named in 1991 for an alumnus, Albert B. Alkek, who became an oilman, rancher, and philanthropist. University Libraries provide key services and resources that fuel the success of research and innovation at Texas State University. University Libraries comprise three facilities and two prestigious collections that are continually evolving to meet the needs of the growing university and an ever-changing, technology-driven world. |
| Campus Life | There's more to university life than going to class, studying at the library, excelling at a project, or acing tests. Students must also enjoy coffee meet-ups, art exhibits, theatre shows, finding the best pizza on campus, or joining in on a game with the “Mean Green Dodgeball Club” at the University of North Texas. The possibilities to learn interesting new things are as limitless as a student’s potential at UNT. To help students relish their lives on campus, UNT offers many facilities. For example, the university has more than five hundred student organisations, counting 40+ societies/ alliances and 100+ academic honour societies. In addition, the campus has a bright student body comprising 32 new National Merit Finalists, 89 Terry Scholars, and 1,700 Honors College students. Its other initiatives to help students experience an impressive and comfortable stay are:
| Approximately 20% of Texas State students live in on-campus or in university-owned housing including about 95% of freshman students. Texas State University has more than 300 student organizations registered with its Student Involvement department. These organizations include Greek organizations, academic groups, honors societies, service groups, sports clubs, and common interest groups. Texas State has more than 30 fraternities and sororities, including 13 fraternities from the North American Interfraternity Conference, 9 fraternities and sororities from the historically African-American National Pan-Hellenic Council, 8 sororities from the National Panhellenic Conference, and 9 multicultural fraternities and sororities from the National Multicultural Greek Council. The school's student government is an organization of both undergraduate and graduate students who represent student's interests with the university administration. Student government has dealt with issues including concealed carry on campus and the university's anti-tobacco policy. Student Government also administers a scholarship fund that any Texas State student can apply to earn. Texas State currently competes at the NCAA Division I level and are members of the Sun Belt Conference. Texas State teams and athletes from multiple sports have won national and regional championships as well as medalists in the Olympic Games. |
| Hostel | #Triple Occupancy Room - $5858 #Double Occupancy Room - $6930 #Single Occupancy Room - $7670 | #Off campus (with family) - $6290 #Off campus (not with family) - $8420 #On campus - $9490 |
| Famous Alumni |
| Paul Goldschmidt, 6-time MLB All-Star Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States Robert L. Rutherford, General, United States Air Force John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System Ricky Wayne Sanders, 2× Super Bowl champion |
| City Life |
| With a diverse, vibrant community of nearly 100,000 residents, San Marcos is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing cities in San Diego County. In addition to the top-ranked San Marcos Unified School District, residents can rely on an efficient public transportation system and access to quality medical care. Award-winning master-planned communities, such as San Elijo HIlls—which features a plethora of shops, restaurants, and more than 18 miles of hiking trails—provide residents with conveniently located amenities. Additionally, San Marcos enjoys a mild year-round climate, perfect for enjoying the city’s vast parks and trails program, as well as nearby lakes and beaches. |
| Weather |
Texas State University vs University of North Texas
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Texas State and UNT are established public research universities in Texas. UNT tends to show somewhat higher in national rankings, with greater research facilities. Texas State is an "R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity" institution and is striving to enhance its research profile; UNT is "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity." UNT is strong in music, arts, business, and technology areas; Texas State is strong in education, water & environmental sciences, communication, health professions, and in fields related to regional development.
General Information
Texas State, with an enrollment of approximately 40,678 students (including graduates), is a bit larger in overall size than most peer universities; its undergraduate enrollment is ~ 36,206. UNT's total undergraduate enrollment is ~ 35,700, and total student body more than 46,000. San Marcos campus of Texas State is suburban, near Austin; UNT's campus at Denton is suburban-city within the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and features numerous satellite and extension offerings. Both institutions. Both offer huge. Numbers of bachelor and graduate programs; Texas State offers more than 200 degree programs; UNT also. Offers more than 100 undergraduate, numerous master's, doctoral programs in numerous fields.
.Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Texas State's acceptance rate is roughly 89.5%, which is relatively high, and it is therefore less selective than most flagship institutions. UNT's acceptance rate is approximately 72.5%. Texas State has lower yield and selectivity; a high percentage of Texas State undergraduate students are in-state students. Both schools have a great number of applicants; both use typical high school performance, although submission of standardized test scores is optional in most cases or on a case-by-case basis.
Research Impact & Facilities
UNT has R1 status, denoting very high research activity; its research centers, labs, and partnerships (particularly arts, music, business, computer/information sciences) are well established. Texas State is R2 but making investments in research, such as extensive work in environmental, education, health sciences, and regional public service. UNT's research output, funding, citation measures, and facility base are more robust on average; Texas State is stronger in applied research and regional reach.
Cost & Financial Aid
Texas State tuition and fees are comparatively low for in-state students, although out-of-state and including total cost with housing etc. makes it higher. UNT tuition for in-state is lower; both universities have financial aid, grants, scholarships. For UNT, the net price after grants/loans averages approximately US$14,675; approximately 64% of undergraduates receive grant-based aid. Texas State's net price & aid ratios are also fairly comparable, although exact figures change based on residency as well as program.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement
UNT graduates typically exhibit median income one year post-graduation of approximately US$36,400, increasing over the longer term. Texas State graduates tend to have greater incomes one year post-graduation (? US$42,210) in most instances, but lower long-term median than Top research peers. UNT's graduation rate (? 60%) is slightly above Texas State's (? 56%) six-year rate. Both institutions offer many graduates who stay in Texas and work in local industries. UNT's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth market provides its alumni with greater access in tech, arts, business; Texas State enjoys geographic advantage from being close to Austin and its economic expansion.
