STUDENT LIFE
Student Life at TXST
A true college town: a crystal-clear river through campus, 300 days of sunshine, a welcoming community and everything a student needs within reach.
30 min
To Austin — Texas's tech capital
45 min
To San Antonio
300 days
Of sunshine per year
~72°F
San Marcos River temperature year-round
Explore each part of student life
The six topics students ask about most before arriving — with real numbers.
Housing
Residence halls, off-campus apartments, real rents and how to apply.
→Dining
Meal plans, dining halls, where to buy Asian groceries and cooking costs.
→Getting around
The free Bobcat Shuttle, trips to Austin, the Texas licence and the car question.
→Banking & cards
Opening an account without an SSN, building credit, transferring money home.
→Things to do
The river, outlets, game days and weekend trips within an hour.
→Live weather
San Marcos temperature right now, a 5-day forecast and what to pack.
→Resources directory
Health, counselling, tutoring, scholarships, jobs and emergencies — with phone numbers.
→San Marcos weather right now
San Marcos weather right now
31°C88°F
Clear sky
- Feels like
- 32°C
- Humidity
- 47%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
Next 5 days
Sun
40° 23°
💧 0% chance of rain
Mon
39° 24°
💧 0% chance of rain
Tue
39° 23°
💧 1% chance of rain
Wed
40° 24°
💧 3% chance of rain
Thu
39° 25°
💧 28% chance of rain
Updated: Aug 23, 11:30 PM · Source: Open-Meteo · local Texas time (CST/CDT)
San Marcos — a college town in the Texas Hill Country
San Marcos sits at the center of the Austin–San Antonio corridor, one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S. The city runs on college-town rhythm: safe, friendly, affordable and built around students. The crystal-clear San Marcos River flowing through campus is the symbol of TXST — where students swim, kayak and celebrate the famous River Jump tradition.
Student housing
On-campus residence halls
A range of residence halls at different price points, convenient and community-oriented — recommended for first-year students.
Off-campus apartments
San Marcos offers many student apartment complexes at friendlier rents than big cities; many run shuttles to campus.
Reference costs
Housing & Food in the cost of attendance is about $13,330/9 months — actuals vary with your housing choice and lifestyle.
Getting around — the free Bobcat Shuttle
TXST's Bobcat Shuttle carries students free of charge across campus and nearby housing areas. Combined with San Marcos's compact center, students live comfortably without a car — a significant saving compared with most U.S. cities.
Climate and the Texas experience
Mild climate
Short gentle winters with rare snow; warm sunny Texas summers — an easy adjustment for students from Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Hill Country nature
Rivers, lakes, hiking trails and limestone-hill landscapes right around the city.
A dynamic economy
Texas is a top U.S. job market — internships and careers in Austin and San Antonio are within reach.
International community
Students from 80+ countries and diverse student organizations help you find your community fast.
Frequently asked questions
How far is San Marcos from Austin and San Antonio?
About 30 minutes to Austin and 45 to San Antonio — ideal for internships, jobs and weekend trips.
Must first-year students live on campus?
TXST encourages first-year students to live on campus for a faster transition; specific options and policies are advised per intake.
Can I live in San Marcos without a car?
Yes. The free Bobcat Shuttle covers campus and major housing areas, and the compact downtown is walkable.
Does it snow in Texas?
Snow is rare in San Marcos — winters are short and mild, and most of the year is sunny.
What are living costs like in San Marcos?
Considerably friendlier than major U.S. cities. Housing & Food reference is about $13,330/9 months in the cost of attendance.
Experience Bobcat life
Want to know more about housing, costs and daily life in San Marcos? The International Office is happy to share real experiences.