UTPB combines open access admission with strong affordability performance at the 91.6th percentile nationally. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university generates $11,993 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels well below peer institutions, supporting financial stability for graduates.
With well above average tier status, driven by strong earnings beyond expectations relative to educational investment
And earning top-tier performance recognition
With above average performance, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With typical performance, indicating around the national average outcomes for economic advancement despite the institution's access and affordability strengths
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Mobility Engine with affordable education
The University of Texas Permian Basin ranks #303 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with affordability performance leading at the 91.6th percentile. Located in Odessa, Texas, this medium-sized public institution maintains open access admission with an 84.5% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
UTPB enrolls 35.6% Pell-eligible students and 46.2% first-generation students, reflecting its mission to serve diverse student populations in West Texas. Graduates earn $11,993 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 88.0th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $56,073 ten years after enrollment, placing UTPB in the 60.0th percentile for long-term earnings. The university's Mobility Engine designation reflects its ability to combine educational access with strong economic outcomes, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds who benefit from both affordable education and solid career preparation.
UTPB delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and above-expectations earnings performance. Graduates earn a median of $56,073 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 60.0th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $37,375 at the 25th percentile to $78,631 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across business, engineering, and health programs. The institution generates $11,993 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 88.0th percentile nationally on this measure and earning a well above average tier rating.
Students prioritizing value and affordability at a public institution with strong regional connections. Well-suited for first-generation students (46.2%) and working adults who need accessible admission (84.5% acceptance rate) while seeking solid career outcomes, particularly in business, engineering, and health fields in the Texas oil and gas economy.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the The University Of Texas Permian Basin hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin/analysis.
The University of Texas Permian Basin admits 84.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 out of 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UTPB in the Open Access category for admission selectivity, reflecting the institution's mission to provide broad educational opportunity in West Texas.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows UTPB's acceptance rate aligns closely with similar public institutions nationwide. This level of accessibility means that students with a wide range of academic backgrounds can gain admission, though academic preparation still matters for success once enrolled.
The university's open access approach supports its role as a Mobility Engine institution, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education. Students should view UTPB as a realistic option for admission while focusing their application strategy on demonstrating readiness for college-level work.
The admissions process emphasizes accessibility rather than exclusivity, making UTPB particularly suitable for first-generation students, working adults, and those seeking to enter or re-enter higher education. Students considering UTPB should concentrate on academic preparation and program fit rather than admission uncertainty, as the primary challenge lies in succeeding academically rather than gaining admission.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
The University of Texas Permian Basin's published cost of attendance reaches $21,727 per year, including $10,904 in-state tuition, $12,780 for room and board, and $1,684 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $23,212, bringing total costs to $37,835.
However, the average student pays just $9,144 after financial aid, representing savings of $12,583 from the sticker price. This 58% reduction from published costs reflects the university's commitment to affordability and extensive financial aid programs.
The net price of $9,144 compares favorably to the peer median of $14,093, providing $4,949 in annual savings compared to similar public institutions. UTPB's affordability index ranks at the 91.6th percentile nationally with top-tier performance, indicating exceptional value relative to outcomes delivered.
The university's cost structure supports its Mobility Engine designation by removing financial barriers while maintaining educational quality. Families should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the substantial financial aid reductions make UTPB accessible to students across income levels while delivering strong return on investment.
UTPB graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings rise from $50,020 six years after enrollment to $52,880 at eight years and $56,073 at ten years, representing 12.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 1,413 graduates at six years, 1,207 at eight years, and 1,190 at ten years, providing solid confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $11,993 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing UTPB in the 88.0th percentile for earnings uplift and earning a well above average tier rating.
This performance indicates the university's effectiveness in preparing students for career advancement. Low-income graduates earn $52,200, demonstrating that students from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve strong outcomes.
The earnings distribution spans from $37,375 at the 25th percentile to $78,631 at the 75th percentile, with the gap reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 29.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Petroleum Engineering.
39 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
55 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
49 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
117 graduates
Geochemistry and Petrology.
13 graduates
UTPB offers 13 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for evaluation. Petroleum Engineering stands out nationally, ranking #7 with graduates earning $99,979 and ranking #4 in Texas.
The program graduates 39 students annually with a value score of 53.8. Business Administration ranks #137 nationally and #8 in Texas, serving as the university's largest program with 117 graduates earning $61,973.
Psychology ranks #92 nationally and #5 in Texas, graduating 107 students with median earnings of $50,137 and achieving the highest value score of 73.7. Mechanical Engineering ranks #75 nationally and #7 in Texas, graduating 55 students with median earnings of $88,618.
Several programs demonstrate flagship status at the institution, including Business Administration, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Accounting Technology, reflecting UTPB's focused program portfolio serving regional workforce needs.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valdosta State University Similar quality tier (#302 ranked) | GA | 83% | $49,361 | #302 | Compare |
University Of Wyoming Similar quality tier (#299 ranked) | WY | 97% | $56,880 | #299 | Compare |
Cuny Medgar Evers College Similar quality tier (#303 ranked) | NY | 83% | $46,498 | #303 | Compare |
University Of North Dakota Similar quality tier (#305 ranked) | ND | 77% | $63,552 | #305 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Humacao Similar quality tier (#298 ranked) | PR | 58% | $29,521 | #298 | Compare |