CSU vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA 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 CSU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

CSU vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU 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 California State University Chico than Tarleton ($14,630 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 33.8% lower than at California State University Chico ($10,920 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $170 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.2% higher at CSU than at Tarleton State University (about $2,930 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at California State University Chico (91% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($11,509 vs. $7,929).

CSU vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU 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 CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is the same as at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Tarleton (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

CSU vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU 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).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($17,000 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($175 vs. $204).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.