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Colleges of Distinction: Texas

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

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Tarleton State University, located in Stephenville, Texas, is a distinguished member of the Texas A&M University System. Known for its rich tradition, personalized learning environment, and commitment to student success, Tarleton State’s main campus blends small-town charm with state-of-the-art academic facilities, while the fast-growing Fort Worth campus brings education to one of the largest metro areas in Texas. Students choose Tarleton State for its affordable, high-quality education, robust career services, and vibrant campus life. Tarleton State’s mission is to provide cutting-edge programs that equip graduates with the skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce while staying true to its mission of affordability, opportunity and access.

Get to know Tarleton State University

13,688
Degree-Seeking Undergraduates
Enrolled female students
63%
 
Enrolled male students
37%
 
Gender Ratio
Full-time students
67%
 
Part-time students
33%
 
Full-time to Part-time Ratio
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Retention rate
Full-time faculty
60%
 
Adjuncts
40%
 
Faculty Ratio
18:1
Student/teacher ratio
$4,416
In-state tuition cost
$14,496
Out-of-state tuition cost
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Out-of-state students

College Highlights

Engaged Students
Great Teaching
Vibrant Communities
Successful Outcomes
Admission & Aid
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Engaged Students

At Tarleton, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Students are actively involved in hands-on learning through internships, research projects, and service-based experiences. The university’s Applied Learning Experiences (ALE) initiative encourages every student to complete at least three high-impact experiences before graduation, such as fieldwork, faculty-led research, or community service tied to their major.

Whether it’s working on real-world engineering challenges, conducting agricultural studies in state-of-the-art labs and research farms, or serving local communities through education and public health projects, Tarleton students put their learning into action. These immersive opportunities help students build both confidence and a strong professional foundation before entering the workforce or graduate school.

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latine: 24%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 7%
White, non-Hispanic: 62%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 1%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 3%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 1%

Great Teaching

Tarleton’s faculty are deeply invested in student success, balancing scholarly expertise with everyday mentorship. The university offers robust undergraduate programs across colleges in Agriculture, Engineering, Business, Health Sciences, Education, Liberal Arts, and more, all grounded in innovation and service-oriented learning.

Faculty members are deeply invested in student success, bringing real-world experience into the classroom and guiding students through hands-on, project-based learning.

Through small class sizes and a supportive academic environment, students benefit from personal attention and strong mentorship. Tarleton’s instructors prioritize not just subject mastery, but also the development of critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills, altogether ensuring that graduates are well prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Vibrant Communities

A strong sense of pride and tradition runs through the heart of Tarleton’s campus life. Students are welcomed into a tight-knit community where involvement is the norm. With more than 100 student organizations, active Greek life, and a wide array of leadership and service opportunities, there’s something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Beyond student clubs, Tarleton celebrates a rich blend of university traditions. Located in the friendly town of Stephenville and just a short drive from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, students enjoy the charm of small-town life along with access to big-city opportunities for internships, cultural exploration, and entertainment.

Successful Outcomes

Career readiness is built into the fabric of a Tarleton education. From day one, students receive the guidance and support they need to clarify their goals and chart a path toward meaningful careers. The Career Services team, in collaboration with faculty and community partners, helps students find internships, develop professional skills, and make connections that matter.

Whether entering high-demand fields like healthcare, agriculture, education, or technology, Tarleton graduates are well prepared to thrive. Many students also take advantage of pathways into graduate and professional programs—equipped with hands-on experience, strong academic preparation, and the confidence that comes from a job well done.

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES FOR REAL-WORLD SUCCESS
Capstone and senior-level internships serve as high-impact practices that bridge academic learning and professional application. These internships reflect Tarleton’s strategic commitment to socioeconomic mobility and workforce development, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience while making meaningful contributions to their communities.

Through partnerships with local businesses, healthcare providers, schools, and agricultural enterprises, Tarleton facilitates community-based internships that align with regional workforce needs. These partnerships not only benefit students by offering real-world learning opportunities but also provide local organizations with access to emerging talent, fresh perspectives, and current industry knowledge.

Additionally, internships contribute to local economic development by equipping students with the skills necessary to meet critical workforce demands in fields such as healthcare, education, and technology. Many students choose to remain in the region after graduation, strengthening the local economy and fostering long-term partnerships between Tarleton and the surrounding communities.

Admission & Aid

Admission

TEST SCORES
Optional

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th Percentile: 490 | 75th Percentile: 580
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 470 | 75th Percentile: 570
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 19 | 75th Percentile: 24
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 24
ACT English
25th Percentile: 17 | 75th Percentile: 24

Tuition & Cost

Tuition (in-state): $4,416
Tuition (out-of-state): $14,496
Fees: $3,462
Room: $6,378
Board: $4,468

Contact Tarleton State University

Contact Admissions

tarleton.edu/admissions
(254) 968-9123
[email protected]

Campus Location

1333 W. Washington
Stephenville, TX 76402

(254) 968-9000

Visit Tarleton State University Online

tarleton.edu

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