Texas State University - San Marcos is an institution of secondary education located in Texas hill country, equidistance between Austin and San Antonio. The San Marcos River runs nearby the main campus of Texas State, which has abundant trees, making it a beautiful setting. Students enjoy many outdoor activities in the area around the main campus, which is situated on 457 acres.
The Aquarena Center at Texas State is located alongside the large springs in Texas, which feed the San Marcos River. These springs support abundant aquatic life and eight endangered species, making Texas State and excellent place to study aquatic ecosystems and species.
The San Marcos campus of Texas State also has 5,038 additional acres around the area. Texas State offers roughly 100 undergraduate and 97 graduate degrees. The student population at Texas State is quite diverse, with 35 percent being ethnic minorities.
History
In 1899, the Texas Legislature authorized Texas State University. It first opened its doors in 1903, functioning as a teacher preparation school under the name of "Southwest Texas State Normal School." The school's name changed several times over the years, finally becoming Texas State University-San Marcos in 2003.
Texas State University's first building was the castle-like Old Main, built in 1903 when the campus opened its doors.
Academics
Texas State University - San Marcos follows the semester system, with fall and spring semesters, as well as two shorter summer sessions that offer evening and weekend classes.
Colleges and Schools
Texas State University - San Marcos has nine academic colleges:
- Applied Arts
- McCoy College of Business Administration
- Education
- Fine Arts and Communication
- Health Professions
- Liberal Arts
- Science and Engineering
- University College
- Graduate College
Student Life
Texas State University - San Marcos offers many on-campus housing options, with assistance provided by the Department of Housing and Residential Life.
There are many student clubs and organizations for students to get involved in at Texas State. With everything from Greek Life (fraternities and sororities) to political groups or major-specific organizations, there is something available for everyone. The university also offers many student activities and services, including Study Abroad programs, the Associated Student Government, University Radio Station, Career Services, Financial Aid and Scholarships, a Student Health Center, a variety of intramural sports teams, and more.
Athletics
The Texas State "Bobcats" teams compete in many intercollegiate athletics, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Track and Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
In addition to Texas State University's main San Marcos campus on the banks of the San Marcos River, the university also has a campus in Round Rock, Texas. This campus is The Round Rock Higher Education Center (RRHEC), which is often called "Texas State - Round Rock." On this campus students can attend upper-level courses for bachelor's degrees or masters degrees, as well as certificate programs. For lower-level courses, students may attend the nearby Austin Community College and Temple College at Taylor. If a student completes his/her degree requirements at the Texas State - Round Rock campus, the degree will officially be earned from Texas State University - San Marcos.
Community Life
Prospective students of Texas State University - San Marcos are encouraged to attend a one-day program held on Saturdays called a "Bobcat Day" to learn all the university and surrounding community have to offer.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admission details below may give you an idea of the students Texas State University accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
Total enrollment at Texas State University is around 38,000 students, where graduate students make up roughly 15% of the student body.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $12,700. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $75 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range estimates:
- In-State Tuition: $7,000-$8,400
- Nonresident Student Tuition: $18,000-$21,540
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $380-$450 per unit
- Out-of-State: $770-$920 per unit
- Some programs may have tuition rates locked at the first year rate for up to five years.
- May provide a prepaid tuition option, which allows tuition to be purchased at current rates for enrollment at a future date
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 79% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 64% | $7,724 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 61% | $6,060 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Texas State University may provide student services like those listed below:- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial courses
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
- Assistance to find work
Graduation Rates
The overall graduation rate of Texas State is close to 57%.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 30% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 20% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 7% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Teacher Education (Bachelor's) Program
- Dietetics Program
- Graduate Teacher Education Program
- Health Services Administration Program
- Music Program
- Radiation Therapist Program
- Speech-Language Pathology Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
Texas State is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports belonging to the NCAA Division I-AA classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Sun Belt Conference)
- Basketball (Sun Belt Conference)
- Track and Field (Sun Belt Conference)
- Football (Sun Belt Conference)
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Volleyball
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by Texas State University by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Animal Science (B)
- Agricultural Business (B)
- Agriculture (B)
Architecture
- Urban Planning (B)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, M)
- Microbiology (B)
- Wildlife Biology (B)
- Biochemistry (B, M)
- Ecology (M)
- Aquatic Biology, Limnology (B, M)
- Population Biology (M)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (B, M)
- Advertising and Marketing (B)
- Accounting (B, M)
- Finance (B)
- Fashion Merchandising (B)
- Business Economics (B)
- Human Resources (M)
- Information Systems
Communication Technology
Communications and Journalism
- Public Relations (B)
- Advertising (B)
- Radio and Television (B)
- Media Studies (B, M)
- Journalism (B)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B, C, M)
- Computer (B, C)
Education
- Elementary Education (M)
- Secondary Education (M)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (D, M)
- Special Education (C, M)
- Higher Education Administration (M)
- Adult and Continuing Education (M)
- Adult and Continuing Education Administration (D)
- Health Teacher Education (M)
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education (M)
- Educational and Instructional Media Design (M)
- Music Teacher Education (M)
- Physical Education (M)
- Reading Teacher and Literacy Specialist (M)
- Trade and Industrial Teacher Education (M)
- Agricultural Teacher Education (M)
- History Teacher Education (M)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (D, M)
- Guidance Counselor
- Early Childhood Education
- Biology Teacher Education
Engineering
- Electrical Engineering (B)
- Industrial Engineering (B)
- Manufacturing Engineer (B)
- Software Engineering (M)
- Materials Engineering (D)
Engineering Technology
- Construction Engineering Technology (B)
- Industrial Technology (B, M)
- Engineering Technology (B)
- Manufacturing Engineering Technician (B)
English Language and Literature
- English (B, M)
- Rhetoric and Composition (B, C, M)
- Technical and Business Writing (M)
- Creative Writing (M)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- European Civilization Studies (B)
- United States Studies
- Asian Studies
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Nutrition and Wellness Studies (B)
- Family Studies (B, M)
- Consumer Services and Advocacy (B)
- Human Nutrition (C, M)
- Consumer Merchandising and Management (M)
- Family and Consumer Sciences
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Spanish Language and Literature (B, M)
- German Language and Literature (B)
- French Language and Literature (B)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (B)
- Medical Records Administrator (B)
- Communication Disorders (B, M)
- Healthcare Administration (B, C, M)
- Respiratory Therapy (B)
- Physical Therapy (D)
- Public Health Education and Promotion (B)
- Medical Technology (B)
- Therapeutic Recreation (M)
- Athletic Training (B, M)
- Radiology Technician (B)
History
- History (B, C, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- International and Global Studies (B, C, M)
- Accounting and Computer Science (M)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Paralegal (C, M)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (B)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, M)
- Applied Mathematics (B, M)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental Science (B, C, M)
- Water, Wetlands and Marine Resources Management (B, C)
- Environmental and Wildlife Management (D)
- Land Use Planning and Management or Development (M)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, C, M)
Physical Sciences
Psychology
- Psychology (B)
- Counseling Psychology (M)
- School Psychology (M)
- Experimental Psychology (C, M)
- Health Psychology (M)
Public Administration and Social Services
- Social Work (B, M)
- Public Administration (B, M)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (B)
- Police Science (B)
- Corrections Officer (B)
- Law and Justice Administration (D, M)
Social Sciences
- Anthropology (B, M)
- Political Science (B, M)
- Sociology (B, M)
- Geography (B, D, M)
- Cartography and GIS (B, C, M)
- Economics (B)
- International Relations (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Design and Visual Communications (B, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B, M)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B)
- Music (B, M)
- Dance (B)
- Photography (B)
- Interior Design (B)
- Art Studies (B)
- Music Performance (B)
- Art History (B)
- Musical Theatre (B)
- Jazz and Jazz Studies (B)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Texas State University.
- The University of Texas at Austin in Austin, TX (30 miles away)
- The University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, TX (46 miles away)
- University of Houston - Victoria in Victoria, TX (94 miles away)
- Texas A&M University in College Station, TX (107 miles away)
- Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, TX (117 miles away)
See a list of all the colleges and universities by clicking on one of the links below:
- Visit the main Texas colleges & universities profile page
- Get a list of all state universities in Texas