Tarleton vs. TLU

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than TLU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 1,423 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting); Texas Lutheran University is in Seguin, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Tarleton 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: Tarleton State University 20:1; Texas Lutheran University 11:1.

Tarleton vs. TLU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tarleton 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 Tarleton State University than TLU ($16,159 vs. $25,119).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 11.6% lower than at Texas Lutheran University ($10,920 vs. $12,350).
• Texas Lutheran University is 336.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $27,928 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.7% higher at TLU than at Tarleton State University (about $18,088 more per year; $36,230.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Lutheran University than at Tarleton State University (100% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Lutheran University students is 213.5% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($24,861 vs. $7,929).

Tarleton vs. TLU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tarleton 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 Tarleton.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas Lutheran University (1130) is 60 points higher than at Tarleton (1070).
• Incoming TLU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at Tarleton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 980/1160; Texas Lutheran University 1030/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 19/24; Texas Lutheran University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tarleton - Test optional; TLU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TLU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• TLU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Tarleton vs. 16.8% at TLU.

Tarleton vs. TLU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tarleton 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 Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Graduates from Texas Lutheran University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Tarleton graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than TLU graduates ($19,750 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TLU graduates ($204 vs. $279).
• More TLU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.