UTEP combines open admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes, ranking in the 97.5th percentile nationally. As an Opportunity Builder institution, the university serves 60.6% Pell-eligible students while maintaining well above average affordability and delivering meaningful career advancement for graduates from diverse backgrounds.
With modestly below average performance, reflecting the tradeoff between accessibility and raw earnings outcomes
With well above average performance, driven by controlled costs and manageable debt levels relative to peer institutions
With excellent performance, indicating exceptional enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With exceptional performance, reflecting the university's ability to support economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Opportunity Builder: exceptional access with strong mobility
The University of Texas at El Paso ranks #52 nationally with exceptional mobility performance at the 97.5th percentile nationally. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public research university maintains open access admission with a 99.9% acceptance rate while delivering strong economic mobility outcomes.
UTEP enrolls 60.6% Pell-eligible students and 40.6% first-generation students, positioning it as a leader in serving underrepresented populations. The institution demonstrates modestly below average earnings performance with graduates earning $1,422 less than expected relative to similar students, yet places in the 97.5th percentile for mobility due to its exceptional access to low-income students.
Median earnings reach $50,923 ten years after enrollment, around the national average for four-year institutions. This combination of open admission, extraordinary access, and meaningful economic advancement places UTEP within the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions prioritize broad educational access while supporting economic mobility for diverse student populations.
UTEP demonstrates strong affordability while delivering meaningful economic outcomes for students from diverse backgrounds. Graduates earn a median of $50,923 ten years after enrollment, around the national average nationally.
Earnings range from $29,422 at the 25th percentile to $70,184 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. The institution generates $1,422 in earnings below expectations, placing it around the national average on this measure.
Students from lower-income backgrounds seeking affordable higher education with strong economic mobility outcomes. Well-suited for first-generation students (40.6%) and Pell-eligible students (60.6%) who want open admission access combined with demonstrated upward earnings potential.
UTEP's Opportunity Builders profile reflects its ability to serve diverse students while delivering meaningful economic advancement.
The University of Texas at El Paso maintains an open access admission policy with a 99.9% acceptance rate, meaning virtually all applicants receive admission offers. This places UTEP among the most accessible four-year institutions in the United States, contrasting sharply with the peer median admission rate of 78.1%.
The institution's open access mission prioritizes educational opportunity over admission selectivity, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse student populations including first-generation and lower-income students. This level of accessibility means that students can expect admission regardless of academic credentials, though success once enrolled depends on academic preparation and commitment.
For prospective students, UTEP represents a guaranteed admission opportunity rather than a competitive selection process. Students should focus on academic readiness for college-level coursework rather than admission probability when considering UTEP.
The sections below provide context on the academic profile of enrolled students and institutional support systems that contribute to student success. Applicants should consider whether their academic preparation aligns with the institution's expectations for college-ready students who can thrive in this open access environment.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
UTEP's published cost of attendance is $19,327 per year, including $9,744 in in-state tuition, $10,864 for room and board, and $1,646 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $25,512.
However, the average student pays just $10,726 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,601 compared to the sticker price. This net price falls significantly below the peer median of $15,590, making UTEP $4,864 more affordable than similar public institutions.
The substantial gap between published cost and actual net price reflects the institution's commitment to affordability through financial aid targeting. For Texas residents, the in-state tuition advantage makes higher education particularly accessible.
The relatively modest room and board costs of $10,864 further support overall affordability compared to institutions in higher-cost metropolitan areas. Financial aid reduces costs by nearly 45% on average, demonstrating effective need-based aid distribution.
This cost structure positions UTEP as a high-value option for students seeking quality higher education at controlled prices, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds who benefit most from the aid targeting.
UTEP graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over time with outcomes based on substantial cohort sizes. Median earnings rise from $37,978 six years after enrollment to $44,575 at eight years and $50,923 at ten years, representing 34.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 5,126 graduates, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $1,422 below expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UTEP around the national average for earnings uplift.
Low-income graduates earn $41,600, ranking in the top 50% nationally, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income families. Earnings span from $29,422 at the 25th percentile to $70,184 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 26.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
105 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
198 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
120 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
347 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
85 graduates
UTEP offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #64 nationally and #6 in Texas, producing 105 graduates with median earnings of $88,692 and a strong value score of 67.9.
Mechanical Engineering ranks #53 nationally and #4 in Texas, graduating 198 students with median earnings of $83,398 and a value score of 76.7. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #87 nationally and #8 in Texas, with 347 graduates earning $71,055, making it the largest program by enrollment.
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies Other ranks #26 nationally and #11 in Texas, graduating 197 students with median earnings of $46,850 and an impressive value score of 70.6. Biology General ranks #140 nationally and #7 in Texas, with 268 graduates earning $42,562.
These programs demonstrate UTEP's strength across engineering, healthcare, and interdisciplinary fields while serving substantial student populations.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Georgia Institute Of Technology-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#54 ranked) | GA | 16% | $102,772 | #54 | Compare |
Cuny Queens College Similar quality tier (#55 ranked) | NY | 69% | $62,763 | #55 | Compare |
Montclair State University Similar quality tier (#56 ranked) | NJ | 87% | $61,415 | #56 | Compare |
University Of California-Santa Barbara Similar quality tier (#51 ranked) | CA | 28% | $74,915 | #51 | Compare |
Rutgers University-Newark Similar quality tier (#57 ranked) | NJ | 79% | $74,479 | #57 | Compare |
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This is the The University Of Texas At El Paso hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso/analysis.
