Texas State vs. UT Arlington

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than Texas State based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 40,674 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

Texas State vs. UT Arlington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or UT Arlington? 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 The University of Texas at Arlington than Texas State ($13,755 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Arlington are 11.1% lower than at Texas State University ($11,228 vs. $12,630).
• The University of Texas at Arlington is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $500 more per year; $11,950.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29% higher at UT Arlington than at Texas State University (about $6,652 more per year; $29,582.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at Texas State University (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students ($12,556 vs. $12,127).

Texas State vs. UT Arlington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Arlington (1130) is 40 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming UT Arlington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Texas State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 980/1200; The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; UT Arlington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Arlington students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than UT Arlington (79.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

Texas State vs. UT Arlington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and UT Arlington? 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 State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than The University of Texas at Arlington's (40%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Arlington earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Arlington graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($18,000 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, UT Arlington graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($186 vs. $219).
• More UT Arlington graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.