Affordability for Tarleton State University

Tuition and Fees

Average tuition and fees for 30 semester credit hours: $3,835

Median family income by region, by ethnicity.

Percentage of the median family income that would be required to pay for tuition and fees for the “average” family from a specific region by ethnicity.
Region White Black Hispanic Asian Other Total
Median Income Percent T&F Median Income Percent T&F Median Income Percent T&F Median Income Percent T&F Median Income Percent T&F Median Income Percent T&F
High Plains $46,811 8.2% $23,133 16.6% $27,694 13.8% $52,598 7.3% $28,115 13.6% $39,987 9.6%
Northwest $41,423 9.3% $25,405 15.1% $26,442 14.5% $38,308 10.0% $26,569 14.4% $37,693 10.2%
Metroplex $65,041 5.9% $36,594 10.5% $34,976 11.0% $61,260 6.3% $36,291 10.6% $54,032 7.1%
Upper East Texas $43,743 8.8% $24,903 15.4% $27,999 13.7% $51,327 7.5% $30,080 12.7% $39,700 9.7%
Southeast Texas $44,397 8.6% $24,739 15.5% $31,914 12.0% $44,345 8.6% $31,873 12.0% $39,615 9.7%
Gulf Coast $67,885 5.6% $35,211 10.9% $33,398 11.5% $56,901 6.7% $33,860 11.3% $50,955 7.5%
Central Texas $58,189 6.6% $33,184 11.6% $36,874 10.4% $57,789 6.6% $35,577 10.8% $49,907 7.7%
South Texas $53,694 7.1% $35,426 10.8% $28,487 13.5% $50,069 7.7% $28,439 13.5% $36,673 10.5%
West Texas $47,399 8.1% $24,815 15.5% $27,378 14.0% $47,765 8.0% $27,609 13.9% $38,073 10.1%
Upper Rio Grande $55,051 7.0% $41,124 9.3% $28,320 13.5% $44,521 8.6% $28,470 13.5% $33,588 11.4%
Statewide $57,194 6.7% $33,276 11.5% $30,840 12.4% $56,792 6.8% $30,266 12.7% $45,132 8.5%

Compared to national data, Tarleton's annual tuition/fees of $3,835 appear significantly lower than those associated with the income required to attend many public universities. In 2004-5, The College Board reported the average tuition and fees for "in-state students at public four-year colleges and universities is $5,132." Thus, Tarleton's costs are 25.3% below the national average. Tarleton State University's average tuition and fee amount ranks in the bottom quarter of the 34 public universities for average tuition and fees. Thus, it can be concluded that Tarleton is a very good bargain for the state and for its students.

Undergraduate Students from in-state

Number and percent of undergraduates the institution enrolls from each region by ethnicity.
Region White Black Hispanic Asian Other Male Female Total
Num % Num % Num % Num % Num % Num % Num % Num %
High Plains 106 1.5% 1 0.0% 3 0.0% 1 0.0% 0 0.0% 64 0.9% 47 0.7% 111 1.6%
Northwest 853 12.2% 11 0.2% 72 1.0% 5 0.1% 4 0.1% 420 6.0% 525 7.5% 945 13.5%
Metroplex 2,685 38.4% 110 1.6% 184 2.6% 16 0.2% 41 0.6% 1,349 19.3% 1,687 24.1% 3,036 43.4%
Upper East Texas 80 1.1% 8 0.1% 4 0.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 52 0.7% 40 0.6% 92 1.3%
Southeast Texas 24 0.3% 5 0.1% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 16 0.2% 13 0.2% 29 0.4%
Gulf Coast 158 2.3% 18 0.3% 13 0.2% 0 0.0% 3 0.0% 80 1.1% 112 1.6% 192 2.7%
Central Texas 1,606 22.9% 304 4.3% 183 2.6% 17 0.2% 28 0.4% 938 13.4% 1,200 17.1% 2,138 30.5%
South Texas 262 3.7% 6 0.1% 33 0.5% 1 0.0% 1 0.0% 129 1.8% 174 2.5% 303 4.3%
West Texas 129 1.8% 4 0.1% 8 0.1% 0 0.0% 1 0.0% 74 1.1% 68 1.0% 142 2.0%
Upper Rio Grande 9 0.1% 0 0.0% 2 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 5 0.1% 6 0.1% 11 0.2%
Statewide 5,912 84.5% 467 6.7% 502 7.2% 40 0.6% 78 1.1% 3,127 44.7% 3,872 55.3% 6,999 100.0%

As noted in the above table, Tarleton's minority enrollment is 15.6%. The percentage varies among the different ethnic groups. Tarleton remains committed to diversity across all ethnic categories.

Criteria for Admissions

  • Top 10% of high school graduation class
  • Academic record
  • Standardized test scores

Tarleton's admission policies are moderately selective emphasizing access and opportunity for those desiring to pursue higher education.

Analysis of the Criteria used to admit students

Tarleton's admission criteria are very similar in role and scope when compared to institutions with similar missions. Approximately 6% of completed fall applications were denied admission.

Criteria for Financial Aid

  • First generation student status
  • Financial need
  • Legacy status
  • Merit (grades, GPA, performance, other)
  • Enrollment in a specific major/discipline
  • Enrollment at a specific level
  • Enrollment in a specific number of hours
  • Submission of financial aid application by preset deadline
  • Date of financial aid application (first-come; first-served)
  • Expected family contribution
  • Parental contribution
  • Cost of attendance
  • Other financial factors beyond need

Considering all types of financial assistance available to students such as scholarships, work study, loans, grants, or other assistance, approximately 80% of Tarleton students receive some type of financial aid.

Analysis of the criteria used to award financial aid

As stated above, approximately 80% of all Tarleton students receive some type of financial assistance. This figure has shown a slight but steady increase as Tarleton strives to meet the financial needs of our students.

Comparison of this institution to peer institutions in-state and out-of-state

Tarleton is quite affordable when compared to other institutions of higher education. As previously noted, Tarleton ranks in the bottom quarter of the 34 Texas public universities in terms of average tuition and fees. Nationally, the costs required to attend Tarleton are 25.3% below the national average as reported in a 2004 College Board study.