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Indiana University Bloomington vs Texas A&M University

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

80.0% IU acceptance
63.0% Texas A&M acceptance
$5,372 IU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

IU
Bloomington, Indiana
Public
Founded
1820
Enrollment
47,527
Setting
Suburban
Texas A&M
College Station, Texas
Public
Founded
1876
Enrollment
74,829
Setting
Suburban

At a Glance

Tuition IU saves $903
IU
$39,184
Texas A&M
$40,087
Acceptance Rate Texas A&M more selective
IU
80.0%
Texas A&M
63.0%
Graduation Rate Texas A&M higher
IU
80%
Texas A&M
83%
Avg SAT Score Texas A&M higher
IU
1240
Texas A&M
1290
Starting Salary Texas A&M higher
IU
$58,900
Texas A&M
$66,300

Detailed Comparison

Metric IU Texas A&M Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$39,184$40,087IU
Tuition (In-State)$11,614$12,413IU
Room & Board$12,498$12,938IU
Acceptance Rate80.0%63.0%Texas A&M
Graduation Rate80%83%Texas A&M
Average SAT12401290Texas A&M
Student-Faculty Ratio15:119:1IU
Enrollment47,52774,829-
Avg Financial Aid$13,900$13,700IU
Starting Salary$58,900$66,300Texas A&M
Endowment$3.6B$17.1BTexas A&M
Campus Size1,940 acres5,200 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

IU
$206,728
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
Texas A&M
$212,100
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: IU = $151,128 | Texas A&M = $157,300. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

IU Top Majors

BusinessBiologyPublic HealthInformaticsMedia

Texas A&M Top Majors

EngineeringBusinessBiologyAgricultureBiomedical Science

Campus & Student Life

Setting
IUSuburban
Texas A&MSuburban
Campus Size
IU1,940 ac
Texas A&M5,200 ac
Athletics
IUNCAA D1
Texas A&MNCAA D1
Region
IUMidwest
Texas A&MSouth
Founded
IU1820
Texas A&M1876
Enrollment
IU47,527
Texas A&M74,829

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is IU or Texas A&M harder to get into?+
Texas A&M is more selective with an acceptance rate of 63.0% compared to 80.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, IU or Texas A&M?+
At sticker price, IU costs less over 4 years ($206,728 vs $212,100). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. IU offers an average of $13,900/year in aid while Texas A&M offers $13,700/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for IU and Texas A&M?+
The average SAT score at IU is 1240 and at Texas A&M it is 1290. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do IU or Texas A&M graduates earn more?+
Graduates of Texas A&M have a higher average starting salary ($66,300 vs $58,900). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
IU has a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio while Texas A&M has 19:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do IU and Texas A&M compare for campus life?+
IU is located in Bloomington, Indiana (suburban setting) with a 1,940-acre campus. Texas A&M is in College Station, Texas (suburban setting) with 5,200 acres. IU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and Texas A&M in NCAA D1.