UTRGV combines open access admission with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the university generates substantial earnings beyond expectations while maintaining extraordinarily low costs, creating compelling value for diverse student populations seeking economic advancement.
With typical performance, reflecting competitive but not exceptional long-term return on investment
With excellent performance, driven by extraordinarily low net costs and manageable debt levels
With exceptional performance, indicating above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With exceptional performance, reflecting the university's outstanding ability to generate economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top 15 nationally for institutional performance
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranks #14 nationally in Azimuth's institutional analysis, achieving exceptional performance at the 99.2nd percentile. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public university combines open access admission (84.8% acceptance rate) with outstanding affordability and mobility outcomes.
The institution enrolls 63.8% Pell-eligible students and 52.6% first-generation students, demonstrating exceptional commitment to educational access. With exceptional access performance at the 98.2nd percentile and exceptional mobility outcomes at the 99.1st percentile, UTRGV exemplifies the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions prioritize broad educational access while delivering strong economic advancement.
Graduates earn $49,620 ten years after enrollment, with earnings beyond expectations of $8,735 ranking at the 83.4th percentile nationally. The combination of highly accessible admission, exceptional affordability, and strong earnings uplift positions UTRGV as a premier value institution.
UTRGV delivers exceptional value through earnings that exceed expectations by $8,735, placing it at the 83.4th percentile nationally for earnings uplift. Median earnings reach $49,620 ten years after enrollment, while maintaining extraordinarily low debt levels at $12,950 compared to the peer median of $20,000.
This creates a highly favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, indicating strong financial sustainability for graduates. Earnings range from $29,401 at the 25th percentile to $66,597 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across the institution's program portfolio.
Students seeking affordable education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly first-generation (52.6%) and Pell-eligible students (63.8%). Well-suited for those prioritizing value over prestige, with accessible admission and exceptional affordability alongside earnings that exceed expectations by $8,735.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley admits 84.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UTRGV in the Open Access tier, indicating highly accessible admission standards that prioritize broad educational opportunity over exclusivity.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that UTRGV is somewhat more accessible than typical institutions in its comparison group, though the difference is modest at 6.7 percentage points. This level of accessibility means that most academically prepared students should expect admission, though meeting basic requirements remains important.
The university's open access philosophy aligns with its mission to serve diverse student populations, including high shares of first-generation and Pell-eligible students. Students should view UTRGV as a reliable admission option while still taking application requirements seriously.
The institution maintains academic standards through its curriculum and support systems rather than through exclusionary admission practices. For prospective students building college lists, UTRGV represents a strong safety school option with demonstrated outcomes that exceed expectations for graduate earnings.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
UTRGV's published cost of attendance is $18,343 per year for in-state students, including $9,859 in tuition, $9,662 for room and board, and $1,190 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $19,939.
However, the average student pays just $6,500 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,843 from the sticker price. This net price of $6,500 compares exceptionally favorably to the peer median of $15,590, creating a $9,090 advantage for UTRGV students.
The substantial gap between published costs and actual net price reflects comprehensive financial aid that makes higher education accessible to diverse economic backgrounds. At $6,500, UTRGV's net price ranks among the most affordable options nationally for a four-year degree, supporting the institution's mission to serve students regardless of economic background.
The combination of modest published costs and generous financial aid creates extraordinary value for students seeking quality education at minimal expense.
UTRGV graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression, with median earnings growing from $35,812 at six years to $44,456 at eight years and $49,620 at ten years, representing 38.6% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes reflect a robust ten-year cohort of 5,981 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures.
Graduates earn $8,735 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 83.4th percentile for earnings uplift and placing the institution well above average for value-added performance. Low-income graduates achieve median earnings of $42,600, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings span a 2.3:1 ratio from the 25th percentile ($29,401) to the 75th percentile ($66,597), reflecting variation across academic programs and career trajectories. Approximately 24.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The substantial earnings growth trajectory and strong performance relative to expectations highlight UTRGV's role in transforming educational access into sustained economic opportunity.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
64 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
33 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
138 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
99 graduates
Computer Science.
104 graduates
UTRGV offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #49 nationally and #4 in Texas, graduating 64 students with exceptional median earnings of $86,662 and a strong value score of 75.5.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #129 nationally and #11 in Texas, producing 138 graduates earning $74,842 annually. Computer Science ranks #115 nationally and #4 in Texas, with 104 graduates achieving median earnings of $70,128.
Biology stands out as the institution's largest program with 538 graduates, ranking #116 nationally and #6 in Texas with median earnings of $42,925. Corrections Administration ranks #69 nationally and #5 in Texas, graduating 425 students with earnings of $44,047.
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies ranks exceptionally well at #38 nationally and #16 in Texas, serving 345 graduates with median earnings of $47,900, demonstrating the university's strength in interdisciplinary education.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Houston Similar quality tier in Southwest (#15 ranked) | TX | 70% | $62,377 | #15 | Compare |
California State University-Northridge Similar quality tier (#16 ranked) | CA | 93% | $59,115 | #16 | Compare |
California State University-Sacramento Similar quality tier (#17 ranked) | CA | 94% | $64,876 | #17 | Compare |
San Jose State University Similar quality tier (#18 ranked) | CA | 80% | $78,988 | #18 | Compare |
California State University-Fullerton Similar quality tier (#13 ranked) | CA | 87% | $62,951 | #13 | Compare |
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This is the The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/analysis.
