Texas State University (TXST) is a public university located in San Marcos, Texas. It enrolls approximately 39,000 students and offers a balanced mix of academic programs with a focus on undergraduate education. Admissions are moderately selective, with an approximate acceptance rate of 53%. Popular programs include Education, Business, Nursing, Mass Communication, and Music. Its graduation rate is around 56%, and TXST graduates have average starting salaries of approximately INR 16–20 lakhs annually (USD $20,000–25,000).
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is a large public research university situated in College Station, Texas. It has a student population of around 71,000 and is recognized as a Tier One research institution with extensive research opportunities. Admissions are more selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 63%. Strong programs include Engineering, Agriculture, Business, Veterinary Medicine, and Computer Science. The graduation rate is about 73%, and TAMU graduates earn average starting salaries of around INR 22–26 lakhs annually (USD $27,000–32,000).
| Texas State University | Texas A&M University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.1 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 1200 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1201 Times Higher Education 2025 # 1316 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 144 QS World University 2026 # 151 Times Higher Education 2026 # 82 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 801 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 1201 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 15 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 191 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 22 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -51 PG Programs -49 | UG Programs -88 PG Programs -84 Doctorate Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 88.0 % | 64.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6.5 SAT-1020 TOEFL-78 | GMAT-690 IELTS-6 PTE-53 SAT-1140 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 20784.6 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 22284.6 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24200 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 45645 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20026 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 16184 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: MBA: $140,000 Bachelor of Science: $60,000 Bachelor of Arts: $49,000 | Average Salaries are as follows:
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| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements | Essay; 3 letters of recommendation; Statement of Purpose; CV |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.4/10 Read 2 reviews | 8.0/10 Read 5 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 120 for Business by US News 2025 # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 43 for Business by US News 2025 # 64 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 92 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 110/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 52/90TOEFL - 78/120 | IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -33670 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| application dates | Jun 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) | Nov 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake Round 1) Jan 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake Round 2) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Texas State University | Texas A&M University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1899 | 1876 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 19:1 |
| Male:Female | 42% Male, 58% Female | 52% Male, 48% Female |
| Location Facts | 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. | Texas A&M’s College Station campus is one of the largest in USA; located in Brazos Valley, also known as Aggieland; a railroad track operated by Union Pacific divides the campus into two parts: east and west side; Other campuses of university are located in Qatar, Galveston and McAllen |
| Library | 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. | Ranked 1st among SEC universities and 8th among US public universities by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in 2017-18; 11,000 databases, 114,000 e-journals, 1.8 million ebooks, 5.8 million volumes and 7 million web views; 5 libraries: Cushing Memorial, Evans Library, Medical Sciences, Policy Science and Economics , Business |
| Campus Life | 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. | University has over 1000 student clubs and organizations including Corps of Cadets, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Government, and Music Activities; has a Police and Health Service department for safety and well-being of students; Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A food court, Einstein Bros Bagels are located inside the campus |
| Hostel | #Off campus (with family) - $6290 #Off campus (not with family) - $8420 #On campus - $9490 | #Off campus (not with family) - $7780 #On campus - $8404 |
| 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 | Rick Perry (US Secretary of Energy); Robert Gates (US Secretary of Defence); Holly Ridings (first woman chief flight director at NASA); John Kimbrough (actor); Gene Stallings (3 Super Bowl title-winning coach); Robert Earl Keen (guitarist); George P. Mitchell (chairman and CEO of Saudi Aramco); Charles E. Toberman (popularly known as Father of Hollywood); |
| 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. | Texas has a deepwater port on Texas Gulf Coast and is known as petroleum refining & petrochemical manufacturing center; Unemployment rate was 2.1% in May 2019; considered as the largest producer of oil, cattle, sheep, minerals, cotton, and wool in the USA |
| Weather |
Texas State University vs Texas A&M University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Texas A&M University (TAMU) is much higher ranked than Texas State University internationally. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, TAMU ranks approximately 144 with high recognition in Engineering, Agriculture, Business, Veterinary Medicine, and Earth Sciences. Texas State University, is not ranked on QS World internationally but ranked 1201–1500 on THE Times but excels in Education, Business, Health Professions, and Criminal Justice, especially for applied and practical programs.
General Information
TAMU, established in 1876 in College Station, Texas, is a major public research university with more than 70,000 students, a rich military heritage, and diverse undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Texas State University, established in 1899 in San Marcos, Texas, has ~40,000 students and provides a mid-sized urban campus environment with an emphasis on teaching, applied research, and community involvement.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
TAMU is quite selective 63% especially for Engineering, Business, and Agriculture, whereas Texas State maintains a moderately selective admissions policy 53%, where the in-state students have greater chances of acceptance. Competitive majors are Business, Nursing, and Education.
Research Impact & Facilities
TAMU is a Carnegie R1 research institution, with a wide range of research facilities in STEM, agriculture, and professional sciences, and international partnerships. Texas State is mostly a teaching school, with research institutes in health, education, business, and applied sciences, focused on applied, community-based projects rather than large-scale international research.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both are state universities. TAMU is more expensive for non-resident students but offers merit and need-based scholarships and graduate funding. Texas State is cheaper for residents of Texas, and also has scholarships and financial aid, although less comprehensive than TAMU.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
TAMU graduates have international recognition in engineering, agriculture, business, aerospace, and government, with a robust professional network. Texas State graduates generally find regional success in education, business, health, and public service, with good Texas-based employer relationships and community involvement initiatives.
