Tarleton vs. RU

Comparable Facts

Compare Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX with Radford University in Radford, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than RU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 7,812 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting); Radford University is in Radford, VA (Distant Town setting).
• Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Radford University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tarleton State University 20:1; Radford University 14:1.

Tarleton vs. RU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tarleton or RU? 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 RU ($16,159 vs. $16,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 12.7% lower than at Radford University ($10,920 vs. $12,504).
• Radford University is 51.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $4,246 more per year; $12,548.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at RU than at Tarleton State University (about $7,491 more per year; $25,633.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Radford University than at Tarleton State University (94% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Radford University students is 49.7% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($11,870 vs. $7,929).

Tarleton vs. RU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tarleton or RU? 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 RU and Tarleton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at RU (1050).
• Incoming RU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Tarleton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 980/1160; Radford University 940/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 19/24; Radford University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tarleton - Test optional; RU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman RU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• Tarleton has a higher acceptance rate (89.6%) than RU (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Tarleton vs. 14.4% at RU.

Tarleton vs. RU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tarleton and RU? 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).

• Radford University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Radford University earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $3,250 lower median loan debt than RU graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than RU graduates ($204 vs. $237).
• More RU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.