Cost of Attendance 2026–27: The Numbers to Quote Families

Nothing damages an agency's credibility faster than a cost estimate that turns out to be low. This is the published cost of attendance for an international undergraduate at Texas State University for the 2026–27 academic year, with notes on how to present each line.

The published figures

• Tuition — approximately USD 25,080 for the year, based on 15 credit hours per semester.
• Housing and food (on campus) — approximately USD 13,330, including a meal plan.
• Books and course materials — approximately USD 790.
• Personal and daily expenses — approximately USD 4,520.
• Health insurance — approximately USD 2,100.

That gives a planning figure of roughly USD 45,820 for a full academic year. For graduate study, tuition is approximately USD 16,720 per year at nine credit hours per semester, with the other lines broadly comparable.

What moves the number

Three variables account for most of the difference between the published estimate and what a family actually spends:

• Credit load. Tuition is charged by credit hour. A student taking a lighter load pays less per semester but takes longer to graduate.
• Housing choice. Living off campus with roommates is usually cheaper than a residence hall with a meal plan; a private off-campus apartment is usually more expensive.
• Personal spending. This is the line families underestimate. A student who travels during breaks will exceed the estimate.

How to present it

1. Quote the total, not the tuition. Families who hear only the tuition figure feel misled when the full invoice arrives.
2. Separate one-off costs. Application fee, SEVIS fee, visa fee and flights sit outside the cost of attendance.
3. Show the second year. Tuition rates are reviewed annually; a four-year plan should assume modest increases rather than a flat figure.
4. Talk about scholarships accurately. Merit awards exist for international students, but they reduce the total — they rarely eliminate it.

Tools you can use in a meeting

The public cost calculator produces a per-student estimate in front of the family, using the same published figures. Many partners run it live during the first consultation and email the result as a written record.

For the current fact sheet and printable cost tables, see partner resources or contact international@studytxst.com.