Kean vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Kean University in Union, NJ 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 Kean based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 13,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Kean University is located in Union, NJ (Large Suburban setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Kean University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Kean University 17:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

Kean vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kean 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 Kean University than Tarleton ($12,708 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 40.2% lower than at Kean University ($10,920 vs. $18,264).
• Kean University is 72.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $5,997 more per year; $14,299.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.7% higher at Kean than at Tarleton State University (about $4,304 more per year; $22,446.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at Kean University (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kean University students is 89.8% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($15,048 vs. $7,929).

Kean vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kean 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 Kean.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 30 points higher than at Kean (1040).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Kean University 930/1150; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kean - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kean Aug 15, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tarleton students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at Kean (3.2).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than Kean (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.7% at Kean vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

Kean vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kean 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).

• Kean University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Kean University earn a median of about $900 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than Kean graduates ($19,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kean graduates ($204 vs. $258).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kean students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 52%)

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.