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Tarleton State University acceptance rate & admissions

Tarleton State University admits 90% of applicants, most. For Fall 2023, 8,239 of 8,746 applicants were admitted and 2,702 enrolled. The school considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional). The middle half of Fall 2024 enrolled first-year students scored 980–1160 on the SAT or 19–24 on the ACT.

Check your chances at TSU → Compare your GPA and scores with these ranges, and with other colleges.

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Acceptance rate
90%

More selective than 38% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class

Test scores
Considered, not required

48% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 18% sent ACT scores.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Admitted students who enroll
33%

Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose TSU over other offers.

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class

Applicants, admits and enrollment

Applied8,746
Admitted8,239
Enrolled2,702

IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.

What TSU weighs when deciding

How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as TSU reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.

Very important
  • Rigor of high school courses
  • Class rank
Considered
  • High school GPA
  • SAT/ACT scores
Not considered
  • Essay
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character and personal qualities
  • First-generation college student
  • Alumni relation (legacy)
  • Where you live
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
  • Your demonstrated interest

Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

Early decision, early action and the waitlist

Early decision (binding)
Not offered
Early action (not binding)
Not offered
Waitlist
No waitlist

Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.

TSU SAT and ACT scores

Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, TSU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT reading & writing500590
SAT math480570
ACT composite1924
SAT total (approx.)9801160

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.

TSU admissions year over year

Entering classAcceptanceSAT readingSAT mathACTSource
Fall 202490%500–590480–57019–24College Scorecard
Fall 202394%490–580470–57019–24IPEDS

Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.

How selective is TSU compared with other Texas colleges?

TSU has the 44th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAcceptanceGraduationAvg. net price
40Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi89%40%$15,225
41Dallas Baptist University89%57%$28,516
42Nelson University89%42%$21,662
43Texas State University89%55%$16,805
44Tarleton State University90%48%$20,783
45University of St Thomas90%69%$19,359
46University of Houston-Downtown90%33%$10,542
47Hardin-Simmons University90%46%$19,555
48Sam Houston State University90%55%$16,404

College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →

Who enrolls at TSU

First-year students who return for year two70%
First-year students from Texas96%
Pell Grant recipients34%
First-generation students42%
Women / men61% / 39%
International students1%

College Scorecard; IPEDS

TSU admissions questions

What is the TSU acceptance rate?

Tarleton State University accepts 90% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 8,239 of 8,746 applicants were admitted.

Does TSU require the SAT or ACT?

Tarleton State University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 48% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 18% submitted ACT scores.

What SAT score do you need for TSU?

The middle 50% of Tarleton State University enrolled first-year students scored 980–1160 on the SAT and 19–24 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.

How many admitted students enroll at TSU?

33% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,702 of 8,239).

What does TSU look for in applicants?

Tarleton State University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: rigor of high school courses, class rank. Considered: high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Does TSU have early decision?

No. Tarleton State University does not offer binding early decision (Common Data Set 2025-26).

Is TSU getting harder to get into?

Tarleton State University accepted 90% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 94% for Fall 2023.

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; TSU's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Tarleton State University overview