SFASU vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

Compare Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Stephen F Austin State University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (10,472 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, TX (Rural Fringe setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Stephen F Austin State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Stephen F Austin State University 16:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

SFASU vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SFASU or TLU? 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 TLU ($14,959 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Lutheran University are 6% lower than at Stephen F Austin State University ($12,350 vs. $13,144).
• Texas Lutheran University is 225.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than SFASU (about $25,102 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $11,128.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.7% higher at TLU than at Stephen F Austin State University (about $12,804 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $23,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Stephen F Austin State University (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 132.5% larger than aid received by Stephen F Austin State University students ($24,861 vs. $10,694).

SFASU vs. TLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SFASU or TLU? 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 TLU and SFASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Lutheran University (1130) is 60 points higher than at SFASU (1070).
• Incoming TLU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at SFASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 970/1170; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Stephen F Austin State University 18/24; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SFASU - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at SFASU (3.26).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than SFASU (94%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.1% at SFASU vs. 16.8% at TLU.

SFASU vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SFASU and TLU? 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).

• Texas Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Stephen F Austin State University's (44%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than SFASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stephen F Austin State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SFASU graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.