SFASU vs. Tarleton

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, 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 SFASU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 10,472 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting); Tarleton State University is in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting).
• Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephen F Austin State University 16:1; Tarleton State University 20:1.

SFASU vs. Tarleton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SFASU 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 Stephen F Austin State University than Tarleton ($14,959 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 16.9% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($10,920 vs. $13,144).
• Stephen F Austin State University is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $2,826 more per year; $11,128.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.1% higher at SFASU than at Tarleton State University (about $5,284 more per year; $23,426.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at Stephen F Austin State University (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students is 34.9% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($10,694 vs. $7,929).

SFASU vs. Tarleton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SFASU 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 SFASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stephen F Austin State University (1070) is the same as at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming SFASU 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: Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170; Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 18/24; Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SFASU - Test optional; Tarleton - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SFASU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.26) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• SFASU has a higher acceptance rate (94%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at SFASU vs. 24.3% at Tarleton.

SFASU vs. Tarleton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SFASU 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).

• Stephen F Austin State University's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $5,250 lower median loan debt than SFASU graduates ($19,750 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SFASU graduates ($204 vs. $258).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU 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.