McMurry University vs. Tarleton

Should I go to McMurry University or Tarleton State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McMurry 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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McMurry University vs. Tarleton State University comparison
McMurry University Tarleton State University College 3 College 4
McMurry University Tarleton State University
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Overview

McMurry University Tarleton
Location Abilene, TX Stephenville, TX
Setting Midsize City Remote Town
Enrollment 1,237 14,092
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #734 #871
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mcm.edu tarleton.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McMurry University Tarleton
Tuition (In State) $29,972 $4,416
Tuition (Out of State) $29,972 $14,208
Room & Board $9,250 $10,328
Avg Net Price $18,757 $13,755
Avg Grant Aid $23,537 $8,463
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 79%

Admission

McMurry University Tarleton
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,345 5,788
Admitted 1,325 5,039
Acceptance Rate 56.5% 87.1%
Enrolled % 20.8% 48.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.21
Typical High School Grades A- B
Admissions Standards Moderate Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/25 18/24
SAT Range 1040/1230 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 Aug 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

McMurry University Tarleton
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (20%)
  • General Studies (18%)
  • Agriculture (11%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

McMurry University Tarleton
Graduation Rate 36% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,700 $45,500
Making Student Loan Payments 53% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,824 $19,750
Median Loan Payment $277 $204

Diversity

McMurry University Tarleton
% Men 53% 36%
% Women 47% 64%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 52% 68%
% Black 18% 8%
% Hispanic 25% 18%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 3%
% International 1% 0%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

McMurry University Tarleton
% In-State 96% 97%
% Out-of-State 3% 3%

Campus

McMurry 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 McMurry University based on total student enrollment (14,092 students vs. 1,237 students)

McMurry University vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McMurry University or Tarleton?

  • McMurry University is 578.7% more expensive to attend than Tarleton for in-state tuition ($29,972.00 vs. $4,416.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 111% higher at McMurry University than Tarleton State University ($29,972.00 vs. $14,208.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tarleton State University than McMurry University ($13,755 vs. $18,757)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McMurry University are 11.7% lower than costs at Tarleton State University ($9,250 vs. $10,328)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McMurry University than Tarleton State University (100% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McMurry University students is 178.1% larger than aid received Tarleton State University ($23,537 vs. $8,463)

McMurry University vs. Tarleton Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Tarleton State University (959) is 72 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
  • Incoming Tarleton students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McMurry University (19)
  • Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Tarleton (3.21)
  • Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than McMurry University (56.5%)

McMurry University vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McMurry 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 McMurry University.

  • The graduation rate at Tarleton is higher than McMurry University (39% vs. 36%)
  • Graduates from Tarleton State University earn on average $1,800 more per year than McMurry University graduates after ten years. ($45,500 vs. $43,700)
  • Tarleton State University students graduate with a $7,074 lower median federal student loan debt than McMurry University graduates. ($19,750 vs. $26,824)
  • Tarleton graduates are paying $73 less per month on federal student loans than McMurry University graduates. ($204 vs. $277)
  • More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McMurry University students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 53%)

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