Baylor vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare Baylor University in Waco, TX with Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than Baylor based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 20,626 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Baylor University is located in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Baylor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Baylor University 15:1; Texas State University 21:1.

Baylor vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Baylor or Texas State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Texas State University than Baylor ($15,716 vs. $47,001).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 17.5% lower than at Baylor University ($12,630 vs. $15,314).
• Baylor University is 407.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $46,650 more per year; $58,100.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.4% higher at Baylor than at Texas State University (about $35,170 more per year; $58,100.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baylor University than at Texas State University (98% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Baylor University students is 116.9% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($27,232 vs. $12,556).

Baylor vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Baylor or Texas State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Texas State and Baylor.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Baylor University (1300) is 210 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming Baylor students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baylor University 1200/1400; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baylor University 27/32; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Baylor - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Baylor Feb 1, 2027; Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Baylor students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than Baylor (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Baylor vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

Baylor vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Baylor and Texas State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Baylor University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Baylor University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Baylor graduates ($21,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baylor graduates ($219 vs. $258).
• More Baylor graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 55%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.