LSUA vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than LSUA based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 6,815 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

LSUA vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or Tarleton? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than Tarleton ($8,296 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 12.1% lower than at Tarleton State University ($9,598 vs. $10,920).
• Tarleton State University is 17.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $1,252 more per year; $8,302.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at Tarleton than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (about $3,492 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $14,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tarleton State University students is 4.9% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($7,929 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or Tarleton? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tarleton and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Louisiana State University Alexandria (1100) is 30 points higher than at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming Tarleton students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (21 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Tarleton students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

LSUA vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and Tarleton? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $2,043 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($17,707 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($183 vs. $204).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.