Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Tarleton State University at a Glance
Tarleton State University is a public research university in Stephenville, Texas, United States. It is a founding member of the Texas A&M University System and enrolled over 15,000 students in the fall of 2022. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".
1899
127 years old
$42M
$42 million (2016)
14,092
12,012 undergrad · 2,080 grad
1,973 acres
Identity
Is Tarleton State University Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Tarleton State University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $53,040 — 1% below average — while paying $20,783/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Tarleton State University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Tarleton State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #118 of 147 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #6 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #118 | Tarleton State University | 32 | $20,783 | $53,040 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Tarleton State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 14 in TX.
Best Programs at Tarleton State University
The highest-earning program at Tarleton State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $62,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Zoology/Animal Biology at $22,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Tarleton State University earns $62,600, while a Zoology/Animal Biology graduate earns $22,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $22,257 in median debt vs. $22,250 for Zoology/Animal Biology.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $20,783/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,600 | $62,600 | $22,257 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $53,900 | $53,900 | $19,388 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $48,800 | $48,800 | $19,975 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $48,200 | $48,200 | $20,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $43,200 | $43,200 | $18,598 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $38,700 | $38,700 | $18,292 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $38,600 | $38,600 | $18,625 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $38,500 | $38,500 | $23,995 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,800 | $37,800 | $19,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $36,500 | $36,500 | $18,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,900 | $33,900 | $19,650 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,800 | $33,800 | $20,500 |
| Social Work | $33,100 | $33,100 | $23,835 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $32,700 | $32,700 | $20,409 |
| Biology, General | $32,100 | $32,100 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $30,700 | $30,700 | $24,250 |
| Psychology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $21,069 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $29,700 | $29,700 | $24,187 |
| Marketing | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,360 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $24,352 |
| Animal Sciences | $28,400 | $28,400 | $19,617 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $28,300 | $28,300 | N/A |
| Agricultural Production Operations | $27,700 | $27,700 | $21,950 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $22,200 | $22,200 | $22,250 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Stephenville, TX
- Student Body
- 12,673 students
- Admission Rate
- 90%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $20,783
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,040
- Median Student Debt
- $19,606