San Marcos, Texas (TX) Colleges and Universities

While there is only one public or private non-profit school in San Marcos, there are many schools, including two other public or private non-profit schools, located within a 27-mile radius. Read about the top schools in several categories, including program variety and net cost to find the school for you.

View 8 Popular Schools »

Most Program Variety

Schools in the San Marcos area vary in size and type, so students should expect to find many different kinds of programs offered, at schools that have from over 160 programs to approximately 40. The following information ranks three schools in respect to program variety and outlines some of the most popular programs.

1 - Texas State University

This 4-year public school located right in San Marcos, TX, had over 34,000 students and was ranked 46th as a regional western university, by U.S. News & World Report, in 2013. Offering over 160 programs, awards conferred at this school include bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees, in addition to postbaccalaureate certificates. Based on number of degrees earned in 2011-2012, some of the most popular bachelor's degree programs were in business administration (344 degrees), multi-/interdisciplinary studies (588 degrees), kinesiology (299 degrees) and psychology (302 degrees), according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). In general, Texas State University awarded 5,395 bachelor's degrees, 1,322 master's degrees, 74 doctor's degrees and 245 postbaccalaureate certificates that year.

2 - Saint Edward's University

Offering the second most programs was Saint Edward's University, a 4-year, private non-profit school affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and located about 27 miles from San Marcos, in the large city of Austin, TX. This school was ranked #17 by U.S. News & World Report in 2013, among regional western universities, and awarded bachelor's and master's degrees, along with postbaccalaureate certificates. About 90 programs were offered at this liberal arts university, including some of the most common ones like business administration, communication & media, psychology and biological & biomedical sciences, according to NCES in 2011-2012. The student population at Saint Edwards was approximately 5,330 and 988 bachelor's degrees, 338 master's degrees and 20 postbaccalaureate certificates were earned that year.

3 - Texas Lutheran University

Based in Seguin, TX, almost 22 miles from San Marcos, this 4-year, private non-profit school is affiliated with the American Evangelical Lutheran Church and offered the third most variety through approximately 40 programs. Texas Lutheran University ranked #3 in regional western colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report. This school had about 1,415 undergraduate students and conferred 262 bachelor's degrees in 2011-2012, stated NCES. Popular programs at that time included business, education, kinesiology and psychology. A postbaccalaureate teacher certification was also available, in addition to a master of accountancy degree.

Lowest Net Cost

The average net cost for full-time beginning students attending school is calculated by NCES through subtracting financial aid received from the total cost of attending U.S. universities and colleges. In the San Marcos area, average net costs for attending public or private non-profit schools ranged from almost $9,000 to over $20,000. Following are the rankings of area schools according to net cost.

1 - Texas State University

This public school had the lowest net cost in the San Marcos area, at $8,838 in 2010-2011, according to NCES. During that same year, 77% of the full-time beginning undergraduates received some type of financial aid. In 2012-2013, in-state tuition and fees were $7,732, while out-of-state students paid $16,858. Students living on campus paid $7,520 for room and board, stated NCES.

2 - Texas Lutheran University

In 2010-2011, NCES listed that the second lowest net cost of $16,892 was charged at Texas Lutheran University, and 99% of the full-time, first-time students were awarded financial aid. Students who wanted to live on the campus paid $7,940 for room and board. Tuition and fees at this private non-profit school were $24,990 in 2012-2013, according to NCES.

3 - Saint Edward's University

This private non-profit school had the third lowest net cost of $20,309 in 2010-2011, with 90% of the students receiving some type of financial aid. Living on this school's campus cost $9,344 room and board in 2012-2013, and the tuition and fees were $31,110.

Highest Graduation Rate

NCES revealed the portion of full-time students who enrolled in 2005 and completed their courses of study within 150% of the normal time, or six years for a bachelor's degree. The following rankings show how schools near San Marcos fared as far as far as graduation rates, spanning from 68% completion down to 49%.

1 - Saint Edward's University

This school had the highest average graduation rate of 68%, according to NCES, although only 52% graduated within four years. Of the full-time, first-time bachelor's degree students who began their studies in 2010, 81% of them returned to school in the fall of 2011, while 44% of the part-time students returned.

2 - Texas State University

The overall graduation rate at Texas State University comes in second, at 56%. The NCES also revealed that this school's four-year graduation rate was significantly lower, at 27%. Retention rates for those pursuing bachelor's degrees showed that 79% of the full-time and 69% of the part-time students who started in 2010 then returned in 2011.

3 - Texas Lutheran University

The third highest overall graduation rate of 49% was found at Texas Lutheran University, with a 28% four-year rate. Retention rates showing students who first enrolled in 2010 and then returned in 2011 were 75% for full-time students and 50% for part-timers.

Lowest Student-Faculty Ratio

A low student-faculty ratio can mean more time and attention given to individual students by instructors, and lower student-faculty ratios can often be found at smaller schools. Ratios near San Marcos were as low as 14:1 and as high as 20:1.

1 - Saint Edward's University

With the lowest student-faculty ratio of 14:1, this school's faculty was comprised of 203 full-time and 294 part-time teachers, according to NCES in 2011. U.S. News & World Report published in 2013 that Saint Edward's University had fewer than 20 students in 51.9% of its classes.

2 - Texas Lutheran University

NCES reported that this school had the second lowest student-faculty ratio, at 16:1. U.S. News 7 World Report revealed that 53.1% of the classes had less than 20 students in 2013. The faculty included 68 full-time members and 58 part-time instructors in 2011, according to NCES.

3 - Texas State University

The largest school of the three, Texas State University's student-faculty ratio rests in third place, at 20:1, and U.S. News & World Report said that 22.6% of the classes had fewer than 20 students in 2013. NCES reported in 2011 that this school had a full-time faculty of 1,112 and 451 part-time teachers. In addition, there were 115 part-time graduate assistants employed.

San Marcos Area Schools at a Glance

School Name	Location	School Type	Degrees Offered	Area Ranking
Saint Edward's University	Austin, TX	4-year, private non-profit	Bachelor's and master's degrees; postbaccalaureate certificates	Highest Graduation Rate, Lowest Student-Faculty Ratio, 2nd Most Program Variety, 3rd Lowest Net Cost
Texas Lutheran University	Seguin, TX	4-year, private non-profit	Bachelor's and master's degrees; postbaccalaureate certificates	2nd Lowest Net Cost, 2nd Lowest Student-Faculty Ratio, 3rd Most Program Variety, 3rd Highest Graduation Rate
Texas State University	San Marcos, TX	4-year, public	Bachelor's, master's and doctor's degrees; postbaccalaureate certificates	Most Program Variety, Lowest Net Cost, 2nd Highest Graduation Rate, 3rd Lowest Student-Faculty Ratio