SHSU vs. Tarleton

Sam Houston State University and Tarleton State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Sam Houston State University
Tarleton State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Tarleton (89.6% admitted vs 90.3%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1030.
  • Cheaper after aid: SHSU. Average net price is $14,737 vs $16,159 at Tarleton.
  • Graduation: SHSU 50% vs Tarleton 39%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SHSU $47,800 vs Tarleton $45,500 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Sam Houston State University Tarleton State University
Acceptance rate
Tarleton more selective
SHSU90.3%
Tarleton89.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Tarleton higher
SHSU930-1120
Tarleton980-1160
Average net price
SHSU $1,422 less
SHSU$14,737
Tarleton$16,159
In-state tuition
Tarleton $926 less
SHSU$9,228
Tarleton$8,302
Out-of-state tuition
Tarleton $926 less
SHSU$19,068
Tarleton$18,142
Graduation rate
SHSU +11 pts
SHSU50%
Tarleton39%
Median earnings (10 years)
SHSU +$2,300
SHSU$47,800
Tarleton$45,500

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at SHSU and Tarleton with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at SHSU Check my chances at Tarleton
  • Applied
  • SHSU 17,179
  • Tarleton 13,705
  • Admitted
  • SHSU 15,506
  • Tarleton 12,273
  • Acceptance rate
  • SHSU 90.3%
  • Tarleton 89.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SHSU 21.1%
  • Tarleton 24.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SHSU 1030
  • Tarleton 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • SHSU 20
  • Tarleton 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • SHSU 3.25
  • Tarleton 3.21
  • Typical high school grades
  • SHSU B+
  • Tarleton B+
  • Admissions standards
  • SHSU Very Easy
  • Tarleton Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • SHSU
  • Tarleton
  • SAT range
  • SHSU 930-1120
  • Tarleton 980-1160
  • ACT range
  • SHSU 17-24
  • Tarleton 19-24
  • Submit test scores
  • SHSU Test optional
  • Tarleton Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SHSU Aug 1, 2027
  • Tarleton Aug 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SHSU $9,228
  • Tarleton $8,302
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SHSU $19,068
  • Tarleton $18,142
  • Room & board
  • SHSU $11,720
  • Tarleton $10,920
  • Average net price
  • SHSU $14,737
  • Tarleton $16,159
  • Average grant aid
  • SHSU $10,669
  • Tarleton $7,929
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SHSU 66%
  • Tarleton 91%
  • Graduation rate
  • SHSU 50%
  • Tarleton 39%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SHSU $47,800
  • Tarleton $45,500
  • Making student loan payments
  • SHSU 57%
  • Tarleton 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SHSU $21,500
  • Tarleton $19,750
  • Median loan payment
  • SHSU $222
  • Tarleton $204
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SHSU 19:1
  • Tarleton 20:1
  • Popular majors
  • SHSU
    • Business (27%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (16%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Tarleton
    • Business (20%)
    • General Studies (18%)
    • Agriculture (11%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • SHSU Huntsville, TX
  • Tarleton Stephenville, TX
  • Setting
  • SHSU Remote Town
  • Tarleton Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • SHSU 21,039
  • Tarleton 17,433
  • Type
  • SHSU Public 4 Year
  • Tarleton Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SHSU #794
  • Tarleton #914

Comparable Facts

Compare Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX with Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Sam Houston State University is larger than Tarleton based on total student enrollment (21,039 students vs. 17,433 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, TX (Remote Town setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
  • Sam Houston State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Sam Houston State University 19:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 6.8% lower than at Sam Houston State University ($10,920 vs. $11,720).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.1% higher at SHSU than at Tarleton State University (about $926 more per year; $19,068 vs. $18,142).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at Sam Houston State University (91% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Sam Houston State University students is 34.6% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($10,669 vs. $7,929).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Tarleton than at SHSU (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SHSU and Tarleton.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SHSU Aug 1, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at SHSU average a 3.25 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Tarleton (3.21).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at SHSU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $1,750 lower median loan debt than SHSU graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SHSU graduates ($204 vs. $222).
  • More SHSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 56%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Sam Houston State University
Tarleton State University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges