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.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at UTRGV typically score 910-1110 on the SAT, with a median of 1020. The middle 50% range shows Math scores of 440-540 and Verbal scores of 470-570, indicating balanced performance across sections. These scores rank at the 86th percentile nationally, demonstrating well above average academic preparation despite the institution's open access admission policy. The peer median SAT score of 1198 shows that UTRGV students score 178 points lower on average than peers, reflecting the university's commitment to serving students across a broader academic spectrum. Most enrolled students score between 910 and 1110, though students scoring outside this range are regularly admitted. ACT scores for enrolled students typically fall between 16 and 22, with the middle 50% range providing additional context for prospective applicants. Students scoring below the 25th percentile (910 SAT) should expect to be academically competitive but may benefit from additional academic support services. Those scoring within or above the middle 50% range should feel confident about their academic preparation for UTRGV's programs. The combination of accessible admission standards with above-average test score performance suggests the institution balances opportunity with academic readiness effectively.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
UTRGV enrolls 63.8% Pell-eligible students and 52.6% first-generation students, indicating the university serves substantial populations from lower-income and educationally underrepresented backgrounds. These shares are significantly higher than typical for public institutions, reflecting UTRGV's mission as an access-oriented university in South Texas. The institution also enrolls 37.1% transfer students, demonstrating strong pathways for community college graduates and students changing institutions. This composition suggests admission priorities that emphasize educational opportunity and economic mobility over traditional metrics like test scores or family educational background. The high Pell share indicates that financial need does not disadvantage applicants, while the substantial first-generation population suggests the university actively supports students whose families lack college experience. Transfer students represent more than one-third of enrolled students, indicating robust transfer articulation and support systems. For prospective students, these demographics suggest a campus culture oriented toward student success regardless of background, with peer networks that include many students facing similar challenges. First-generation students should recognize that a majority of their peers will share their background, while transfer students can expect to find extensive support systems and peer networks.
Given UTRGV's 84.8% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students should expect admission. However, students seeking alternatives may consider the options below.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
78.9% of UTRGV freshmen return for sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%, indicating retention rates that are moderately below peer institutions. 49.3% graduate within six years, compared to a peer median of 65.9%, showing completion rates that reflect the challenges facing the student populations UTRGV serves. Notably, Pell-eligible students graduate at 50.2%, creating a positive gap of 0.9 percentage points above the overall completion rate, demonstrating that lower-income students achieve slightly better outcomes than the general population. This positive Pell gap is unusual and suggests strong institutional support for economically disadvantaged students. The retention and completion rates reflect the realities of serving high percentages of first-generation, transfer, and working students who face additional barriers to degree completion. Students considering UTRGV should understand that success requires active engagement with available support services and clear academic planning. The positive Pell completion gap indicates that financial need students who persist through the first year have strong institutional support for degree completion. Prospective students should expect to benefit from comprehensive student success initiatives designed to support diverse learners through graduation.
Similar quality tier in Southwest (#19 ranked)
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Similar quality tier (#20 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#16 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#15 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#27 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools