7,885
Tarleton State University has always been known for its agricultural services department and its animal science programs. Recently the university has been earning high praise for its teacher education programs and its water quality research initiatives. More than 7,800 undergraduates attend Tarleton State, where they can earn bachelor’s degrees in more than 60 academic programs. The university is home to a growing research enterprise that allows undergraduate and graduate students to participate in the research process.
Greek life is an important part of the undergraduate experience at Tarleton State. Students can also participate in more than 100 student organizations such as the Tarleton Rodeo Association, which has won six national championships. Thirteen men’s and women’s sports teams compete at the NCAA Division II level and in the Lone Star Conference.
Expansion has defined Tarleton State’s campus activity in recent years. A 70,000-square-foot sports recreation center recently opened, complete with a running track and a gymnasium, and a 42,000-square-foot dining facility opened in fall 2008. Other recent additions include a science building with a 64-seat planetarium and an observatory at Tarleton’s Hunewell Ranch, which houses a fully robotic, 32-inch research-grade telescope. A nursing building and a dairy research center are in the planning stages. When students need a break, they head to the Rockin’ P Bar and Grill for a generous serving of freshly battered chicken tenders and fries. Known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” Stephenville is ranked as one of the best small towns in America and is at heart a welcoming college town. More cosmopolitan options for entertainment exist in Fort Worth, which is about an hour away.