Texas Tech vs Tarleton State

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two distinct academic landscapes: Texas Tech University and Tarleton State University. While both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities, they each possess unique characteristics that may resonate differently with your aspirations. Texas Tech, a larger research university, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, including nationally recognized engineering and business schools. Tarleton State, on the other hand, is a smaller, comprehensive university with a strong focus on undergraduate education and a welcoming community atmosphere. As you embark on this side-by-side comparison, delve into the details of acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	Tarleton State University	Texas Tech University
Overview
Location	Stephenville, Texas	Lubbock, Texas
Campus setting	Town: Remote	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	70.0%	85.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	56.8%	67.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $65
SAT range	960 - 1140	1110 - 1280
ACT range	17 - 23	23 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	46.0%	31.0%
Students submitting ACT score	27.0%	16.0%
Total number of applicants	10,657	33,756
Total number of admissions given out	6,054	22,908
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,150	6,629
Yield rate	35.5%	28.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $22,286 Out of state: $32,078	In state: $27,782 Out of state: $40,052
Average net price	$13,752	$17,057
Tuition	In state: $4,416 Out of state: $14,208	In state: $8,935 Out of state: $21,205
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,138 Meal plan: $4,068	Room/dormitory: $6,694 Meal plan: $3,652
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	80.0% Average amount $8,110	78.0% Average amount $8,823
Students receiving federal student loan	56.0% Average amount $8,327	40.0% Average amount $5,243
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $13,605	10.0% Average amount $14,606

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	11,666 Men 36.3% Women 63.7%	33,132 Men 51.0% Women 49.0%
Graduate students	2,329 Men 31.6% Women 68.4%	7,410 Men 44.6% Women 55.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	2.7%	9.3%
International students	0.7%	5.1%
Campus local/setting	Town: Remote	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,906	8,069
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Arkansas Colorado Florida	Texas New Mexico California Colorado Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Business Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Agriculture	Engineering Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Family and Consumer Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	48.8%	62.7%
Dropout rate	17.3%	7.5%
Transferred out	31.1%	27.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $75,511 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,941 Year 2: $60,013 Year 3: $69,141 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $48,678 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $67,101 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,485 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $66,332 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,487 Year 2: $51,482 Year 3: $64,639 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,500 Year 2: $59,576 Year 3: $62,108 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $56,641 Year 3: $61,489 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,645 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $59,754 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,322 Year 2: $48,041 Year 3: $52,771 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $46,771 Year 2: $48,237 Year 3: $52,290	Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $82,752 Year 2: $89,305 Year 3: $105,747 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $89,229 Year 2: $83,325 Year 3: $103,896 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $83,915 Year 3: $85,017 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,234 Year 2: $73,562 Year 3: $83,187 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,975 Year 2: $73,530 Year 3: $80,320 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,153 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $80,178 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,931 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $79,461 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $63,983 Year 2: $60,854 Year 3: $79,100 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,843 Year 2: $68,139 Year 3: $78,681 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $81,271 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $78,073

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Texas Tech University and Tarleton State University?

Texas Tech University (TTU) is a large, comprehensive research university located in Lubbock, offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees. It's known for its strong engineering, business, and law programs, as well as its vibrant campus life and Division I athletics. Tarleton State University (TSU), located in Stephenville, is a smaller, more student-focused university with a strong emphasis on agriculture, education, and nursing. While TSU offers master's degrees, it doesn't have the same research focus or breadth of doctoral programs as TTU. TSU is known for its close-knit community and personalized attention.
Where are Texas Tech and Tarleton State located, and how does that affect campus life?

Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, a larger city in West Texas, offering a more urban experience with diverse entertainment and cultural opportunities. The campus is expansive and self-contained. Tarleton State is in Stephenville, a smaller, more rural town. This provides a more intimate and community-oriented campus environment. Stephenville offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere compared to Lubbock.
Which university is larger, and how does that impact the student experience?

Texas Tech is significantly larger than Tarleton State. TTU's larger size means more diverse academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. However, it can also mean larger class sizes, especially in introductory courses. Tarleton State's smaller size allows for smaller class sizes, more personalized attention from professors, and a stronger sense of community. Students at TSU may find it easier to get involved and make connections.
What are the popular academic programs at Texas Tech and Tarleton State?

Texas Tech is well-regarded for its programs in engineering, business, law, agriculture, and the visual and performing arts. Tarleton State is known for its strong programs in agriculture, nursing, education, criminal justice, and business administration. Consider your academic interests when making your decision.
How do the costs of attending Texas Tech and Tarleton State compare?

Generally, tuition and fees at Tarleton State are typically lower than those at Texas Tech. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information and to explore available financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What is campus life like at Texas Tech versus Tarleton State?

Texas Tech offers a vibrant and active campus life with a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, including a strong Greek life presence and Division I athletics. Tarleton State has a more close-knit and community-oriented campus life with a focus on student involvement and school spirit. While TSU also has athletics, it is at the Division I level for some sports and Division II for others. Both universities offer a variety of events and activities to keep students engaged.
What are the athletic programs like at each university?

Texas Tech competes in the Big 12 Conference (Division I) and has a strong athletic tradition, particularly in football, basketball, and baseball. Tarleton State competes in the Western Athletic Conference (Division I for some sports, Division II for others) and offers a variety of athletic programs, including football, basketball, and rodeo. If athletics are a major factor in your college decision, consider which level of competition and specific sports programs are most important to you.
Which university is better for research opportunities?

Texas Tech University is a Tier One research university with significantly more research opportunities available to students, particularly at the graduate level. While Tarleton State offers research opportunities, they are not as extensive or diverse as those at Texas Tech. If research is a high priority, Texas Tech is likely the better choice.
What are the career services like at Texas Tech and Tarleton State?

Both Texas Tech and Tarleton State offer career services to help students with internships, job searches, resume writing, and interview skills. Texas Tech's larger size allows for a more extensive career services department with connections to a wider range of employers. Tarleton State's career services are more personalized and focused on connecting students with local and regional employers.
How do the admission requirements compare between Texas Tech and Tarleton State?

Generally, Texas Tech has more selective admission requirements than Tarleton State. This means that TTU typically requires higher SAT/ACT scores and a stronger academic record. However, admission requirements can vary depending on the specific program you are applying to. Check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date admission requirements.

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