SU vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX 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 SU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern University 11:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

SU vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SU 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 Tarleton State University than SU ($16,159 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 27.5% lower than at Southwestern University ($10,920 vs. $15,072).
• Southwestern University is 548.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $45,511 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 196.6% higher at SU than at Tarleton State University (about $35,671 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Tarleton State University (99% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 343.5% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($35,162 vs. $7,929).

SU vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SU 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 SU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southwestern University (1220) is 150 points higher than at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming SU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 21 at Tarleton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 1130/1300; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southwestern University 26/30; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SU - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027; Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at SU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

SU vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SU 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).

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $11,900 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $7,143 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($19,750 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($204 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.