Texas State vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Texas State University in San Marcos, TX with Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than Tarleton based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 17,433 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas State University is located in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Texas 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: Texas State University 21:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Texas State vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Texas State 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 Texas State University than Tarleton ($15,716 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 13.5% lower than at Texas State University ($10,920 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 37.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $3,148 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Texas State than at Tarleton State University (about $4,788 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at Texas State University (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 58.4% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($12,556 vs. $7,929).

Texas State vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Texas State or Tarleton? 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 Tarleton and Texas State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 20 points higher than at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Tarleton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 980/1200; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas State University 19/25; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Texas State - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Texas State students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Texas State (89.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.9% at Texas State vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Texas State vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Texas State and Tarleton? 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).

• Texas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Texas State graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas State graduates ($204 vs. $219).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas State students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 55%)

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.