Tarleton State University
- Graduation Rate
- 50% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,040 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $20,783 C-
- 21% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 90% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 14.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $14.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $14.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,146,582.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 30% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 2.07% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $14.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Tarleton State University Matters
Tarleton State University is a public research university in Stephenville, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 12,673
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Tarleton State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 90% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 980–1160. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $20,783 a year after grants and scholarships — 21% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,040 ten years after enrolling — 30% above the typical college, against $19,606 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 26% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.61 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 90%, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, is an approachable choice for many students. It suits those seeking a supportive community as they dive into popular fields like Business and Marketing, Psychology, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Education. If you’re looking for a school where you can find your place and pursue practical studies, Tarleton could be a great fit.
Post-graduation, Tarleton alumni see an average earning of $53,040 after ten years. This figure highlights the potential for upward mobility, especially for graduates in fields like Business and Health Professions. Affordability is a major factor here too; with a net price of $20,783, students have access to education that can lead to solid job prospects without an overwhelming financial burden.
For those concerned about debt, the median debt for graduates is $19,606, which is manageable given the earning potential. Students who thrive here often appreciate a balance of academic rigor and community support, making it an ideal environment for those ready to engage and make the most of their college experience. With a substantial number of students receiving Pell Grants, Tarleton is also committed to helping individuals from diverse financial backgrounds succeed.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Tarleton State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Tarleton State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Stephenville, Texas, Tarleton State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,075. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 90%
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- SAT Average
- 1075
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 980–1160
- ACT Range
- 19–24
- Full-Time Faculty
- 59%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,339
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
- Applicants
- 5,788
- Admitted
- 5,039
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tarleton State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tarleton State University is $18,142, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,783. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,574 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,606 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,302
- Out-of-State
- $18,142
- Avg Net Price
- $20,783
- Median Debt
- $19,606
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 40%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,574
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,980
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $20,396
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,076
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Tarleton State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tarleton State University earn a median of $53,040, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,729
- 8 Years
- $50,130
- 10 Years
- $53,040
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (606)
- 30%
- 100% (606)
- 30%
- 100% (606)
- 30%
- 100% (606)
- 30%
How Tarleton Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Tarleton State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Tarleton State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $20,783/year ($83,132 total). Graduates earn $53,040 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,229,714 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,146,582 (14.8× your investment). The median debt is $19,606, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 50% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $83,132
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,229,714
- Net Return
- $1,146,582
- ROI Multiple
- 14.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $20,783
- Median Debt
- $19,606
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Tarleton State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tarleton State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.07%, among the highest in the country. About 9.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.07%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 22.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.2%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $75,900
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $8,508,237
- Investment Income
- $-39,296,771
Top Programs
The fields Tarleton State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Health Professions 9%
- Psychology 8%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Education 3%
- Humanities 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Tarleton State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Tarleton State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Stephenville, Texas, Tarleton State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 90%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,075. The graduation rate is roughly 50%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tarleton State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tarleton State University is $18,142, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,783. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,574 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,606 in federal student loans.
Is Tarleton State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tarleton State University earn a median of $53,040, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Tarleton State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tarleton State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.07%, among the highest in the country. About 9.2% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 22.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Tarleton State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Tarleton State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Tarleton State University.
- University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL · Close peer63% grad $54,501 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN · Close peer54% grad $56,922 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO · Close peer58% grad $49,827 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT · Close peer57% grad $53,263 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE · Close peer47% grad $53,909 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX · Close peer55% grad $54,211 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Tarleton State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Tarleton State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.61, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note