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Tarleton State University
Admission at Tarleton State University is close to open (89.5%), which shifts the homework to outcomes: check the $53,040 median earnings below before the application.
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Tarleton State University anchors the college town of Stephenville, TX, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Science, where graduates median $102,423 four years out. 34.4% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 12,673 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 69.8% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 960 and 1150 — near the TX middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Tarleton State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Tarleton State University received 8,746 applications and admitted 8,239 (94.2%), with 2,702 enrolling.
You can apply to Tarleton State University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 960 and 1150; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 490 | 530 | 580 |
| SAT Math | 470 | 530 | 570 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 21 | 24 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Tarleton State University compares
| Tarleton State University | Texas median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 89.5% | 84.4% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,302 | $13,498 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $53,040 | $54,132 | $53,781 |
At $53,040, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($54,132). Look at Tarleton State University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $8,302 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $18,142. For non-residents, Tarleton State University's $18,142 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 12,673 undergrads, Tarleton State University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
48.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 52% don't — ask a Tarleton State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Tarleton State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Science | $102,423 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $89,677 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $87,678 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $81,042 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $77,044 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $76,980 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,031 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $66,572 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $63,969 |
| Political Science and Government | $59,542 |
| Marketing | $57,478 |
| Music | $56,671 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $54,993 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $54,613 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $54,030 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $53,821 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,503 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,999 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | $51,226 |
| History | $50,385 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,385 |
| Social Work | $50,275 |
| Biology, General | $47,795 |
| Psychology, General | $47,699 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,834 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $44,106 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,665 |
| Animal Sciences | $43,185 |
Median earnings for these 28 Tarleton State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $53,040 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 41 additional Tarleton State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Tarleton State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 960–1150 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 89.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Tarleton State University's acceptance rate?
94.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,239 admitted from 8,746 applicants.
How much does Tarleton State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,302; out-of-state students pay $18,142. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Tarleton State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $53,040 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Texas
- Sul Ross State University — 98.7% admitted
- Texas State University — 89.3% admitted
- Stephen F Austin State University — 94% admitted
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville — 90.9% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.