Texas State vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Tech University is larger than Texas State based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 40,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

Texas State vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or Texas Tech? 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 Texas Tech ($15,716 vs. $16,919).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 14.9% lower than at Texas State University ($10,742 vs. $12,630).
• Texas Tech University is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $402 more per year; $11,852.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at Texas Tech than at Texas State University (about $1,521 more per year; $24,451.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at Texas State University (79% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 19.6% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($12,556 vs. $10,494).

Texas State vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Texas State or Texas Tech? 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 Tech and Texas State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Tech University (1190) is 100 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming Texas Tech students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 980/1200; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas Tech students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.76) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than Texas Tech (72.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

Texas State vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and Texas Tech? 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).

• Texas Tech University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from Texas Tech University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,500 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($21,250 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($219 vs. $232).
• More Texas Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.