Texas State vs. UT Dallas

Comparable Facts

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

Texas State University is larger than UT Dallas based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 29,886 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 Dallas is in Richardson, TX (Small City setting).
• Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Texas State University 21:1; The University of Texas at Dallas 23:1.

Texas State vs. UT Dallas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State or UT Dallas? 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 Dallas than Texas State ($14,916 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas State University are 12.5% lower than at The University of Texas at Dallas ($12,630 vs. $14,430).
• The University of Texas at Dallas is 27.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas State (about $3,194 more per year; $14,644.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.1% higher at UT Dallas than at Texas State University (about $17,214 more per year; $40,144.00 vs. $22,930.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas State University than at The University of Texas at Dallas (76% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Dallas students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Texas State University students ($14,909 vs. $12,556).

Texas State vs. UT Dallas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at Dallas (1290) is 200 points higher than at Texas State (1090).
• Incoming UT Dallas students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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 Dallas 1160/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; The University of Texas at Dallas 24/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; UT Dallas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; UT Dallas May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UT Dallas students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than UT Dallas (65.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 20.3% at UT Dallas.

Texas State vs. UT Dallas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and UT Dallas? 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).

• The University of Texas at Dallas's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Texas State University's (56%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Dallas earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Texas State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at Dallas graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($18,750 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, UT Dallas graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($193 vs. $219).
• More UT Dallas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.