Texas State University--San Marcos

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Quick Stats
601 University Drive

San Marcos, TX 78666

[map]
Phone: (512) 245-2111
2011-2012 Tuition
$8,232
in-state
$17,622
out-of-state
Students
27,448
enrolled
45%
male /
55%
female
Admissions
May 1
application deadline
75.5%
accepted

More Information

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U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#39 Regional Universities (West)

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Summary

Texas State University--San Marcos is a public institution that was founded in 1899. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,448, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 455 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Texas State University--San Marcos's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (West), 39. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,232 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,622 (2011-12).

School mission (as provided by the school):

Texas State University is a comprehensive institution serving over 32,500 students. The university attracts students from every region of Texas, as well as 46 other states and 72 countries. Over 30 percent of the student body is ethnically diverse. Situated in the scenic Texas Hill country, between Austin and San Antonio, Texas State's beautiful 457-acre campus is located at the headwaters of the spring-fed San Marcos River. The university's rolling hills, traditional architecture, and stately oak and cypress trees create an impressive academic setting.

Offering 97 baccalaureate and 98 graduate degree programs, Texas State provides a challenging and rewarding academic environment within state-of-the art facilities on the main campus in San Marcos and in Round Rock. The most popular majors include psychology, management, marketing, electrical engineering, biology, journalism and mass communications, nursing, elementary education, communication design, and criminal justice.

While Texas State is rapidly emerging as one of the state's leading institutions for research, the university's primary emphasis and mission continues to be undergraduate instruction and student success. Eighteen Texas State faculty members have been recognized as Piper Professors, the state's most prestigious award for undergraduate teaching - the second highest number among all colleges and universities in the state.

The university also has an extensive student life program, characterized by more than than 300 student clubs and organizations; each designed to help students develop their professional, personal and social interests. Texas State remains the only university in Texas to have graduated a United States President - Lyndon B. Johnson.

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1899
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar semester
Setting suburban
2010 Endowment $96,484,925

Applying

When applying to Texas State University--San Marcos, it's important to note the application deadline is May 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due May 1. The application fee at Texas State University--San Marcos is $60. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 75.5 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 76%
Application deadline May 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by May 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Texas State University--San Marcos is 19:1, and the school has 18.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Texas State University--San Marcos include: Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other; Business Administration and Management, General; Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General; Psychology, General; and Marketing/Marketing Management, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 77.8 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 19:1
4-year graduation rate 25% - Medium
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 9%
Business Administration and Management, General 6%
Health and Physical Education/Fitness, General 6%
Psychology, General 6%
Marketing/Marketing Management, General 5%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

Texas State University--San Marcos has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,448, with a gender distribution of 44.8 percent male students and 55.2 percent female students. 20.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 80.0 percent of students live off campus. Texas State University--San Marcos is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at Texas State University--San Marcos.

Total enrollment 32,572
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

Texas State University--San Marcos offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Texas State University--San Marcos also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Texas State University--San Marcos, 56 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Texas State University--San Marcos.

Students who have cars on campus 56% - Medium
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer No

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Paying for School

At Texas State University--San Marcos, 55.9 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $6,518.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $8,232 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $17,622 (2011-12)
Room and board $6,912 (2011-12) - Low
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews

The school size is just right and sits in a really cool small town. It is definitely a college town with the entire community backing the university. One of the best things is the spring-fed San Marcos River that runs right through campus. It is great for tubing after a long day of classes. Usually when I tell people I go to T-State their reactions are usually something about being a party school and they also talk about the great food in San Marcos or the outlet malls. I think the teachers and staff here at Texas State are phenomenal and are willing to help you in whatever way possible. There is a lot of school pride at this school but not as much team pride, but we are trying to move to a larger football conference and that should help change that.

Brittany Senior

The best thing about Texas State is: it is the ultimate all-around university that is a huge home to thousands of students from all backgrounds, and futures. It's the perfect size, not too big, not too small. The town of San Marcos is great, offering the river, our "downtown" called "the square" where you can shop, eat, dance and party. Once you declare your major, the students in all your classes become your second family. No matter what your passions are, Texas State offers a way to expand it. The people and faculty are the best you can get! The school pride can always grow, and tradition is something the students and asg are currently working on. It's unusual that students come to class in their swim suits, which means they were just at the river. "Frisbee Dan" is a man who is an expert at frisbee throwing and hangs out at Sewell Park everyday. He is almost like our mascot, minus the bobcat:)

Katy Senior

The best thing about Tx State is the natural beauty of the campus. The river, the hills, the outdoors truly inspire students to socilize and explore far beyond the text books. One thing that I'd change about TX State would be the architecture. Don't get me wrong some of the buildings are beautifl but there just needs to be a smoother flow. Also, I would totally take away the horse statue in the Quad! TX State is the perfect size. Big enought to meet someone new everyday and small enough to have a buddy on riding the commuter bus home with you. Some people get impressed that I attend TX State, others ask where's that, and some just don't care, but after brining them here for a visit they all love it! I spend most of my time on campus in the Health Professions building bc I'm a Respiratory Therapy major but I also spend time in the education building bc work, the Quad, or the LBJ Student center (perfect place to take a nap) I feel that for the most part, TX State students attend TX State because it is an oustanding institution with great academic and social opportunities. The campus is beautiful. The university truly is student center and admininistration and students are always seeking ways to provide educational opportunities by briniging in big time speakers such as Obama, Bill Clinton, Maya Angelou and Isabel Allende or putting on events such as Riverfest. The biggest controversy- the name change from Southwest to Texas State University. There is plenty of school pride but we can always use more! Unsual about Tx State- we have a river that runs through our campus! Memorable experience- being a part of Greek Life. Amazaing memories and lifelong friendships. Complaints- Bad Parking and lots of construction!

txstcris Senior

More student reviews

* Overview details based on 2010 data

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