Abilene Christian University vs. Tarleton

Should I go to Abilene Christian University or Tarleton State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Abilene Christian University or Tarleton is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Abilene Christian University vs. Tarleton State University comparison
Abilene Christian University Tarleton State University College 3 College 4
Abilene Christian University Tarleton State University
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Overview

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
Location Abilene, TX Stephenville, TX
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,079 14,092
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #416 #871
Religious Affiliation Churches of Christ - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website acu.edu tarleton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
Tuition (In State) $40,300 $4,416
Tuition (Out of State) $40,300 $14,208
Room & Board $11,500 $10,328
Avg Net Price $28,978 $13,755
Avg Grant Aid $26,280 $8,463
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 79%

Admission

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 11,226 5,788
Admitted 7,386 5,039
Acceptance Rate 65.8% 87.1%
Enrolled % 12.1% 48.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.65 3.21
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Challenging Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 18/24
SAT Range 1070/1280 950/1150
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Feb 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • General Studies (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Agriculture (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
Graduation Rate 60% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,000 $45,500
Making Student Loan Payments 69% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,325 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $261 $204

Diversity

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
% Men 34% 36%
% Women 66% 64%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 64% 68%
% Black 9% 8%
% Hispanic 16% 18%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 4% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
% In-State 81% 97%
% Out-of-State 16% 3%

Campus

Abilene Christian University Tarleton
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Tarleton State University is larger than than Abilene Christian University based on total student enrollment (14,092 students vs. 5,079 students)

Abilene Christian University vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Abilene Christian University or Tarleton?

  • Abilene Christian University is 812.6% more expensive to attend than Tarleton for in-state tuition ($40,300.00 vs. $4,416.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 183.6% higher at Abilene Christian University than Tarleton State University ($40,300.00 vs. $14,208.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tarleton State University than Abilene Christian University ($13,755 vs. $28,978)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 11.3% lower than costs at Abilene Christian University ($10,328 vs. $11,500)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Abilene Christian University than Tarleton State University (100% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Abilene Christian University students is 210.5% larger than aid received Tarleton State University ($26,280 vs. $8,463)

Abilene Christian University vs. Tarleton Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Abilene Christian University or Tarleton? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Tarleton or Abilene Christian University .

  • The average SAT score at Abilene Christian University (1092) is 133 points higher than at Tarleton (959)
  • Incoming Abilene Christian University students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Tarleton (21)
  • Accepted freshman Abilene Christian University students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Tarleton (3.21)
  • Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Abilene Christian University (65.8%)

Abilene Christian University vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Abilene Christian University or Tarleton? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Tarleton and Abilene Christian University.

  • The graduation rate at Abilene Christian University is higher than Tarleton State University (60% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Abilene Christian University earn on average $500 more per year than Tarleton graduates after ten years. ($46,000 vs. $45,500)
  • Tarleton State University students graduate with a $5,575 lower median federal student loan debt than Abilene Christian University graduates. ($19,750 vs. $25,325)
  • Tarleton graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Abilene Christian University graduates. ($204 vs. $261)
  • More Abilene Christian University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/