Tarleton vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

Tarleton State University is larger than TSU based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 8,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting); Texas Southern University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Southern University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tarleton State University 20:1; Texas Southern University 19:1.

Tarleton vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tarleton or TSU? 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 Southern University than Tarleton ($13,584 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 14.7% lower than at Texas Southern University ($10,920 vs. $12,800).
• Texas Southern University is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $871 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.4% higher at TSU than at Tarleton State University (about $3,331 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Tarleton State University (95% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 23.9% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($9,823 vs. $7,929).

Tarleton vs. TSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 170 points higher than at TSU (900).
• Incoming Tarleton students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at TSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 980/1160; Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 19/24; Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tarleton - Test optional; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027; TSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Tarleton students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.21) than students at TSU (3.0).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Tarleton vs. 17.9% at TSU.

Tarleton vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tarleton and TSU? 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).

• Tarleton State University's six-year graduation rate (39%) is higher than Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from Tarleton State University earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $9,608 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($19,750 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($204 vs. $303).
• More Tarleton graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 22%)

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.