Tarleton vs. A&M-Central Texas

Comparable Facts

Compare Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX with Texas A&M University Central Texas in Killeen, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than A&M-Central Texas based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 2,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting); Texas A&M University Central Texas is in Killeen, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University Central Texas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tarleton State University 20:1; Texas A&M University Central Texas 16:1.

Tarleton vs. A&M-Central Texas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tarleton or A&M-Central Texas? 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 Texas A&M University Central Texas than Tarleton ($1,794 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 4.2% lower than at Texas A&M University Central Texas ($10,920 vs. $11,394).
• Tarleton State University is 12.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than A&M-Central Texas (about $939 more per year; $8,302.00 vs. $7,363.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Tarleton than at Texas A&M University Central Texas (about $988 more per year; $18,142.00 vs. $17,154.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas A&M University Central Texas than at Tarleton State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas A&M University Central Texas students is 48.9% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($11,810 vs. $7,929).

Tarleton vs. A&M-Central Texas Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tarleton or A&M-Central Texas? 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 A&M-Central Texas and Tarleton.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tarleton - Test optional; A&M-Central Texas - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• A&M-Central Texas has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Tarleton vs. 66.1% at A&M-Central Texas.

Tarleton vs. A&M-Central Texas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tarleton and A&M-Central Texas? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas A&M University Central Texas graduates have a $7,487 lower median loan debt than Tarleton graduates ($12,263 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, A&M-Central Texas graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tarleton graduates ($126 vs. $204).

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.