Tarleton vs. UC Merced

Comparable Facts

Compare Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX with University of California Merced in Merced, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tarleton State University is larger than UC Merced based on total student enrollment (17,433 students vs. 9,110 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, TX (Remote Town setting); University of California Merced is in Merced, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Tarleton State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Merced is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tarleton State University 20:1; University of California Merced 20:1.

Tarleton vs. UC Merced Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tarleton or UC Merced? 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 University of California Merced than Tarleton ($13,690 vs. $16,159).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tarleton State University are 49.1% lower than at University of California Merced ($10,920 vs. $21,445).
• University of California Merced is 88.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tarleton (about $7,321 more per year; $15,623.00 vs. $8,302.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 174.6% higher at UC Merced than at Tarleton State University (about $31,681 more per year; $49,823.00 vs. $18,142.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tarleton State University than at University of California Merced (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Merced students is 244.2% larger than aid received by Tarleton State University students ($27,292 vs. $7,929).

Tarleton vs. UC Merced Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tarleton State University (1070) is 20 points higher than at UC Merced (1050).
• Incoming Tarleton students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at UC Merced (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 980/1160; University of California Merced 960/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tarleton State University 19/24; University of California Merced 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tarleton - Test optional; UC Merced - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tarleton Aug 1, 2027; UC Merced Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Merced students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Tarleton (3.21).
• UC Merced has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Tarleton (89.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.3% at Tarleton vs. 7.2% at UC Merced.

Tarleton vs. UC Merced Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tarleton and UC Merced? 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).

• University of California Merced's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Tarleton State University's (39%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tarleton State University graduates have a $149 lower median loan debt than UC Merced graduates ($19,750 vs. $19,899).
• Among borrowers, Tarleton graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC Merced graduates ($204 vs. $205).
• More UC Merced graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tarleton students, three years after graduation. (64% 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.