Tarleton vs. CSUMB

Comparable Facts

Compare Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX with California State University Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than CSUMB based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 7,713 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting); California State University Monterey Bay is in Seaside, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Monterey Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tarleton State University 20:1; California State University Monterey Bay 24:1.

Tarleton vs. CSUMB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tarleton or CSUMB? 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 California State University Monterey Bay than Tarleton ($14,493 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 36.6% lower than at California State University Monterey Bay ($10,920 vs. $17,234).
• Tarleton State University is 6.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSUMB (about $523 more per year; $8,302.00 vs. $7,779.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.3% higher at CSUMB than at Tarleton State University (about $2,237 more per year; $20,379.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at California State University Monterey Bay (91% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Monterey Bay students is 53.7% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($12,185 vs. $7,929).

Tarleton vs. CSUMB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tarleton or CSUMB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSUMB and Tarleton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 10 points higher than at CSUMB (1060).
• Incoming Tarleton students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at CSUMB).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 980/1160; California State University Monterey Bay 960/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 19/24; California State University Monterey Bay 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tarleton - Test optional; CSUMB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027; CSUMB Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSUMB students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• CSUMB has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Tarleton vs. 9.8% at CSUMB.

Tarleton vs. CSUMB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tarleton and CSUMB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than California State University Monterey Bay's (38%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than CSUMB graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $45,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Monterey Bay graduates have a $5,750 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, CSUMB graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($144 vs. $204).
• More CSUMB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 56%)

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.