I’m having the hardest time choosing between these two schools. I’m majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in business marketing, the only downside is I hear UNT’s journalism major is very competitive, Texas State is known for mostly partying and having the highest amount of dropouts. The only thing I’m worried about with Texas State is how will I have a good living when I went to that school. I hear many alumni can’t find decent well paying jobs after graduating from Texas State. I really look forward to a lavish lifestyle after college but if Texas State is like that really then I don’t know how so many people are staying in that school. Both schools have the sorority life I look forward to, UNT is more eco-friendly, also closer to home, Texas state has a beautiful environment around that makes me want to live those 3 hours away to get out my comfort zone. UNT has a better sports team, and Texas State has good theatre plays. Someone please help.
Here’s my thoughts.
I think the reputation of Texas State being a party school is overrated. UT and A&M have lots of parties, but just because they’re big schools. Texas State is almost as big as they are.
As far as graduation rate, Texas State is 55%, which is actually higher than UNT. That’s actually very good. UT-Austin has an 80% graduation rate, but I doubt it’s that high, considering how high their rejection rate is for employable majors. The reason UT and A&M have a high graduation rate is because they artificially game the system. They choose students into competitive majors as freshmen. For those who aren’t chosen, the chances of getting in from the outside are near impossible. So impossible, students are encouraged to go somewhere else rather than stay at UT and be rejected, which is what drags down graduation rates. If they treated students as fairly as Texas State or UNT, the graduation rate at UT and A&M would be in the 50%.
Also, Texas State is considered an alternative to top students who get rejected from competitive majors at UT. Students change majors, and UT makes that process hyper-competitive for employable majors like business or computer science. Texas State is only 30 minutes from Austin, which makes it possible for students to transfer without having to relocate.
Texas State and UNT are basically the same schools academically. Depending on major one may have a better program than the other but they are the same academically. All schools are party schools if that is what your into. I am not familiar with either schools journalism program so I can’t say which one is better. I personally like Texas State better due to the perfect location and vibrant student body. They both attract the same type of students so it really boils down to which campus you like the best. I would suggest to research both schools journalism departments and visit both campuses. There is not enough difference between the schools to think you are taking a step back by selecting one over the other.