Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
San Marcos, Texas
89.5% Acceptance Rate
Texas State University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
89.5%Acceptance Rate
3.38Avg GPA
1093Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$26,348Annual Cost
$56,906Grad Salary
36.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
89.5%
Avg GPA
3.38
Avg SAT
1093
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
980–1190
ACT Middle 50%
19–26
Avg Net Price
$16,438
Need-Based Aid
36.2% receive Pell
Texas State University is a large, public research institution known for its diverse academic programs and vibrant student life. Admissions are selective, focusing on class rank, GPA, and the rigor of the high school course load. The university seeks well-rounded students who are prepared to handle the challenges of a large campus while also engaging in leadership, research, or service-learning opportunities.
A successful application should showcase consistency in academic performance and a history of involvement in school or community organizations. Because Texas State encourages innovation and community engagement, applicants who can demonstrate how they will contribute to the university's active campus culture, such as through student leadership or club participation, will stand out during the review process.
Texas State University Acceptance Rate
Texas State University (SWTSU) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 89.5% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 89.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.38 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.18 – 3.37
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.93
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Texas State University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Texas State University is November 15 for Priority applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 100 days left — Priority
Priority
November 15
Regular
March 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SWTSU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SWTSU is 3.38. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.08–3.38 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.58–3.78.SWTSU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.38 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.18 – 3.37
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.98 – 3.17
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.97
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate: 89.32% per IPEDS 2024-25 (30,498 of 34,146 applicants admitted); application fee $75; accepts both UA Undergraduate App and Common App; test-optional (SAT/ACT considered if submitted, median ACT 22, median SAT 1,100); personal essay required for holistic-review applicants; priority deadline June 1 for fall. Texas top-10% rule (HB 588) guarantees admission without holistic review for students in top decile of their Texas high school graduating class.
- Students ranked 11th-75th percentile of their high school class go through holistic review including admission essay(s), extracurriculars, leadership, community service, work experience, and course rigor. Students outside the top 75% are not offered freshman admission and are directed to complete 15+ transferable credits at 2.50+ GPA before applying as transfers.
- Three campuses: main San Marcos (44,596 students fall 2025, record enrollment), Round Rock (St. David's School of Nursing, junior/senior clinical years), and ALERRT campus in Maxwell TX (nation's premier active shooter response research organization). Fourth campus in Quer?taro, Mexico. ACC (Austin Community College) guaranteed transfer program also available.
- Texas State transitions to Pac-12 Conference July 1, 2026; football won third consecutive bowl championship in 2025; LBJ (Class of 1930) is the only sitting US president to have graduated from a Texas university; George Strait (BS Agriculture, 1979) and Taylor Sheridan (honorary doctorate 2025) are among notable alumni; R2 Carnegie research designation since 2016; Hispanic-Serving Institution (36% Pell Grant recipients); Princeton Review Green College for outdoor life/sustainability.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SWTSU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Texas State University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Texas State University (SWTSU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if SWTSU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into SWTSU Without SAT or ACT?
SWTSU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Texas State University Average SAT Score: 1093
The average SAT score of admitted students at Texas State University is 1093 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1093 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1190 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Texas State University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 980, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at SWTSU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 530 | 480 | 580 |
| SAT Reading | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Composite | 1093 | 980 | 1190 |
Below 980, you're behind most admitted students; at 1190 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Texas State University (SWTSU) with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of SWTSU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Texas State University (SWTSU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at SWTSU is 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 18 | 25 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 26 |
Can I get into Texas State University with a 26 ACT?
A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of SWTSU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at SWTSU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SWTSU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
SWTSU is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Your Class Rank Determines Whether You Get In Automatically or Go Through Holistic Review - Know Which Path You Are On
Texas State uses a two-track admission system structured by Texas House Bill 588. Students who graduate in the top 10% of their Texas high school class are automatically assured admission and do not require holistic review - submit your transcript and you are in. Students ranked in the 11th through 75th percentile of their class are considered through holistic review, in which Texas State evaluates high school curriculum, admission essay(s), extracurricular involvement, leadership, community service, work experience, course quality and rigor, and grades earned - not just GPA. A personal statement or essay is required as part of this holistic process and is a genuinely evaluated component, not a checkbox. Students in the bottom 25% of their class are not offered freshman admission directly and are instead encouraged to complete 15 transferable credit hours with a minimum 2.50 GPA at another institution before applying for transfer. Your class rank - not your GPA alone - determines which of these three paths applies to you. Confirm your rank with your counselor before writing your application strategy.
St. David's Nursing Is at a Separate Campus - Plan for That from Day One
Texas State's nursing program, the St. David's School of Nursing, operates specifically at the Round Rock Campus approximately 65 miles north of the main San Marcos campus, near Austin. Freshman nursing students do not begin their clinical nursing coursework in San Marcos - they complete lower-division prerequisites and general education on the main campus and then move to Round Rock for junior and senior level classes. The Round Rock Campus opened its nursing building in 2010 and has since expanded with Willow Hall (health professions, 2018) and Esperanza Hall (groundbreaking December 2024). Students who apply to Texas State with a nursing intent should research the geographic commitment of spending their upper-division years in Round Rock, not San Marcos. Housing, transportation, and community are meaningfully different between the two locations. Students whose families or support networks are Austin-area rather than San Marcos-area may find Round Rock's proximity an advantage worth explicitly planning around.
Know That TXST Holds a Dual Identity - Its Most Famous Alumnus Is a US President and It Is Moving to the Pac-12
Texas State is the only university from which a sitting US president graduated - Lyndon B. Johnson, Class of 1930, and the campus maintains a prominent LBJ statue near the iconic Quad. George Strait graduated from Texas State in 1979 with a BS in Agriculture and performed his first show with the Ace in the Hole Band at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos before becoming the King of Country Music. These are not incidental fun facts - they reflect a campus community with roots in Texas public life and culture that is distinct from the tech-focused or research-intensive identity of UT Austin. On the sports side, Texas State football won its third consecutive bowl game championship in 2025, and the university is transitioning to the Pac-12 Conference on July 1, 2026 - a major upgrade from the Sun Belt Conference that will change recruiting dynamics, national visibility, and campus spirit significantly in the years ahead. If Pac-12 athletics and campus culture matter to you, applying now means you'll arrive as the transition takes effect.
The ALERRT Center and R2 Research Designation Signal a Campus Growing in Ways Most Students Don't Know
Texas State reached record enrollment of 44,596 students in fall 2025 and has held an R2 Carnegie research designation (high research activity) since 2016 - a category that places it alongside universities with active doctoral programs and externally funded research operations. A particularly unusual feature is the ALERRT Center (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training), housed at Texas State's ALERRT campus in Maxwell, Texas. ALERRT is the nation's premier active shooter and threat response research organization, training law enforcement agencies nationwide. This is an unusual institutional asset for a public regional university and reflects a campus culture of applied research with real public safety impact. Beyond ALERRT, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment engaged 26,000+ children and university students in outdoor learning in 2025, reflecting the San Marcos Springs and the Texas Hill Country ecosystem as genuine academic resources. If you're applying to TXST, understanding its research trajectory - and the fact that it is the seventh-largest university in Texas despite its public-access reputation - helps you frame your own ambitions within the right institutional context.
Expert Insight:
Texas State University (UNITID 228459) was known as Southwest Texas State University until 2013, and before that as Southwest Texas State Normal School (founded 1899). Some alumni records, scholarship databases, and employer records from before 2013 reference "Southwest Texas State University" or "SWT" rather than "Texas State." The institution is also frequently confused with Texas State Technical College (TSTC), which is a separate system of workforce-focused technical colleges operating in Texas under a different governing board and SACSCOC accreditor. TXST (Texas State University, San Marcos) is the flagship of the Texas State University System, distinct from the University of Texas system. Acceptance rate figures range from 81% (some aggregators using older IPEDS) to 89% (IPEDS 2024-25 per CollegeTuitionCompare: 30,498 of 34,146 applicants admitted). Use the IPEDS 2024-25 figure of 89.32% for current planning. Confirm UNITID 228459 and txst.edu before referencing any admissions or scholarship data.
SWTSU Profile
Full Name
Texas State University (SWTSU)
City
San Marcos
State
Texas
ZIP Code
78666
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a SWTSU Degree Worth It?
Whether SWTSU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $66,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.26%.
How much does a degree from SWTSU Cost?
The sticker price is $26,348/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $16,438.
36.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 42.6% take federal loans at SWTSU. File your FAFSA early and list SWTSU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a SWTSU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,906. That's about 40% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Texas State University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Texas State University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Texas State University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
Degree Programs at SWTSU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SWTSU Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Texas State University run about $56,906 a year.
At about $26,348 a year, Texas State University is on the more affordable end.
About 36.2% receive a Pell Grant at Texas State University. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 89.5%, Texas State University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Texas State University average a 3.38 GPA.
Texas State University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.08 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.98, Texas State University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Texas State University — aim above 1093, ideally within the 980–1190 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Texas State University is November 15 for Priority applicants.
The application fee is 75. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.