Tarleton State on the Map and on the Move

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It started in 1899 when the university’s namesake — businessman and rancher John Tarleton — bequeathed his life savings to create an institution of higher education for students of modest means.

Now his dreams for a comprehensive regional university are playing out in grand style at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian, at RELLIS-Bryan, and online.

Enrollment records are shattering, degree programs are growing, and academic partnerships are thriving.

Tarleton just scored all-time-high enrollment for four consecutive terms, reflecting its reputation as a first-choice destination for the brightest minds in the region and for the expert faculty and staff who foster their success. Spring 2021 enrollment beat spring 2020 by 6.46%. Fall 2020 beat the previous year by 6.42%, and summer 2020 saw 10.19% growth over 2019. Now summer 2021 enrollment exceeds 7,000.

In addition to record enrollment, the Class of 2024 is the university’s largest, most diverse group of incoming students — proof of efforts to create an environment where every Tarleton Texan feels welcomed, valued, and connected.

A founding member of The Texas A&M University System, Tarleton offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs. Its first PhD, started in fall 2019, continues to position the university as a leader in defining U.S. criminal justice policies, while the doctoral program in educational leadership and policy studies turns out front-runners for school principals and district superintendents statewide.

The university’s School of Engineering is preparing students for today’s market and careers yet imagined. The soon-to-be college offers master’s programs in computer and mechanical engineering as well as undergraduate degrees in almost every facet of engineering.

Collaborations with Tarrant County College and other two-year schools make it easier than ever for students to transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s.

Partnerships with two-year colleges and regional school districts — Distinguished College Partners and Distinguished High School Partners — deepen the university’s 122-year commitment to educational attainment and affordability. Both programs provide guaranteed scholarships for students meeting qualifications. More than 70 school districts and nine community colleges participate, with others expected this year.

The new Texas Center for Rural Research, Innovation and Economic Development is bridging the gap between academic concepts and real-world challenges, addressing workforce needs, increasing faculty-led student discovery, and cultivating collaborations with North Texas industry, government agencies, and other higher education institutions.

Joining NCAA Division I as the ninth full-time member of the Western Athletic Conference increases national recognition for student-athletes and academic programs. And Tarleton’s storied rodeo program boasts seven national team titles and 28 individual CNFR (College National Finals Rodeo) champs, making it a top pick for many cowgirls and cowboys.

Construction of a second building on Tarleton’s 80-acre campus in southwest Fort Worth — set to begin in 2022 — will take the university’s nationally recognized education and healthcare programs to the next level and help meet regional demand for skilled nurses, medical laboratory scientists, public health professionals, and classroom teachers and school administrators. With additional buildings, the Fort Worth campus could accommodate 9,000 students by 2030.

And to think that Tarleton’s presence in Fort Worth began with just eight students on West Myrtle Street in 1978.

It’s no secret. Tarleton State University is on the map and on the move.

To learn more, visit www.tarleton.edu.