STUDYING IN TEXAS
What to know before you decide on Texas
Written by the authorised Vietnam recruitment office for Texas State University. Every figure is sourced to the university and dated, and there is a section on who Texas does not suit.
$43,720
all-in cost for one undergraduate year, 2026–27
up to $48,000
scholarship awarded automatically over four years
2027
tuition held flat — no rise since 2021
3 years
post-study work for STEM graduates
Why Texas rather than California or New York
The real question is not whether Texas is good but what the same money buys you there. Three differences you can measure:
Living costs are materially lower
Texas levies no state income tax, and rents in its college towns sit far below California or the Northeast. On the same tuition, the four-year total differs substantially.
The job market is pulling people in
Austin for technology, Houston for healthcare, Dallas for finance. With three years of post-study work for STEM graduates, studying where the jobs already are matters more than studying somewhere famous.
Admissions are more predictable
The large Texas public universities publish their academic and test thresholds. You can tell in advance whether you have a chance, rather than guessing at a holistic review.
Who Texas does not suit
What a year really costs
| Item | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| All-in cost, 9 months living on campus | $43,720 | $35,360 |
| Of which: residence hall, per semester | $3,660 – $6,190 | — |
| International application fee | $90 | $90 with international credentials |
| Housing contract deposit | $300 | — |
The all-in figure covers tuition, housing, food, books and personal costs — and it is the number you must evidence financially to obtain an I-20. A scholarship comes straight off it.
Scholarships are awarded automatically
The part most applicants miss: at Texas State, international students are considered for the same academic scholarships as domestic students, based on SAT/ACT and class rank, with no separate scholarship application. The admission file is the scholarship application.
| Criteria | Value |
|---|---|
| SAT 1420+ or ACT 32+, top 25% of class | $48,000 over four years |
| SAT 1260–1410 or ACT 27–31, top 25% of class | $32,000 over four years |
| Top 6–15% of class, no test score needed | $28,000 over four years |
| Top 16–25% of class, no test score needed | $24,000 over four years |
What if you do not have IELTS yet
You do not have to wait a year. Texas State runs an intensive English program on campus (TSIE) and an online version you can start from home (OTSIE), both progressing directly into a degree.
Deadlines coming up
- Spring intake 20271 October 202620 days left
- Fall intake — priority 20271 December 2026about 3 months left
- Summer intake 20271 March 2027about 6 months left
A 12-month plan, counted back from departure
In this order
- Months 12–10 before departure: settle on a field, check entry requirements, sit an English test if you have no certificate.
- Months 10–8: prepare certified translated transcripts and apply as early as you can — early applications affect both scholarships and housing.
- Months 8–6: receive decisions, submit the housing contract with its $300 deposit.
- Months 6–4: assemble financial evidence, receive the I-20, pay the SEVIS fee.
- Months 4–2: book the F-1 visa interview. This is where timelines slip, because consular calendars are not yours to control.
- Months 2–0: book flights, choose a move-in slot and a meal plan, attend online orientation.
How to verify the university before you send money
The study-abroad market contains institutions that do not exist. Do not take our word for it — look it up. Texas State University holds IPEDS ID 228459 in the US Department of Education database, is accredited by SACSCOC, and its official domain is txst.edu.
Read on by topic
More than 200 programs
Filter by level, college and STEM designation.
Undergraduate requirements
Academic and English thresholds, fees and documents.
Graduate requirements
GPA, English and what changes at master’s level.
The F-1 visa and I-20
From offer letter to interview.
Housing
Rates by hall, the first-year rule, application dates.
Which campus
San Marcos, Round Rock and what works on a visa.
Frequently asked questions
What does a year in Texas cost?
For 2026–27 the all-in figure is about $43,720 for an undergraduate and $35,360 for a graduate student, covering tuition, housing, food, books and personal costs. Scholarships come straight off that.
Can I get a scholarship without SAT scores?
Yes. Two tiers are awarded on class rank alone: the top 6–15% receive $28,000 and the top 16–25% receive $24,000 over four years. The highest tiers do require SAT or ACT.
Can I apply without IELTS?
Yes — you enter through the TSIE intensive English program on campus or OTSIE online, then progress straight into your degree rather than waiting a year.
Can I work in the US afterwards?
STEM-designated degrees carry up to 36 months of OPT, which means three H-1B lottery seasons. Non-STEM degrees carry 12 months. This is worth weighing when you choose a field.
Must first-year students live on campus?
Yes, for anyone who finished secondary school within twelve months of enrolling — the clock runs from leaving school, so it also catches transfer students. Graduate students are not covered.
Can international students take US government student loans?
No. Federal grants and loans are for US citizens and permanent residents. International students access support through the university’s own scholarships.
Want to know where your application stands?
The Vietnam office checks your transcripts and English score against each program’s real requirements and replies within 1–2 business days. Free of charge.