Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at UTRGV vary significantly by field of study, with engineering programs producing the highest earnings while liberal arts programs offer strong value relative to national averages. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Analyzing 40 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size.
#45 nationally
$55K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Engineering programs at UTRGV deliver exceptional earnings outcomes, with Electrical and Electronics Engineering producing $86,662 median earnings and ranking #49 nationally. Computer Science graduates earn $70,128, ranking #4 in Texas.
These programs stand out for combining strong technical preparation with manageable debt levels, creating excellent return on investment. The engineering portfolio spans electrical, mechanical, and civil specialties, all producing earnings well above the institutional median and supporting strong career advancement in technical fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #45 |
Programs at the same institution produce different outcomes based on career market demand, skill requirements, and educational pathways. Rankings reflect labor-market results using Department of Education data, not academic reputation or prestige. These outcomes represent graduates who entered the workforce rather than those continuing to graduate school, which varies significantly by field. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing greater confidence in reported earnings. Students should consider career interests, graduate school intentions, and regional job markets when interpreting these outcomes. Data includes only programs with sufficient federal reporting requirements, representing a sample rather than exhaustive catalog of all available majors.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| — |
| 64 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #85 | $78,008 | — | 33 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #176 | $74,167 | — | 99 |
| Computer Science. | #116 | $70,128 | — | 104 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #149 | $66,612 | — | 64 |
| Applied Engineering Technologies/Technicians.Small sample | — | $29,685 | — | 5 |
Business programs at UTRGV demonstrate mixed performance, with Accounting Technology producing $48,420 earnings but ranking lower nationally at #215. Business Administration generates $40,378 earnings with moderate value scores.
Digital Marketing shows stronger performance at $48,215 earnings with better national positioning. These programs serve students seeking practical business skills, though earnings outcomes vary significantly based on specialization and career pathway selection.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Resources Management. | #77 | $51,779★ | — | 21 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #215 | $48,420 | — | 188 |
| Digital Marketing. | #143 | $48,215 | — | 53 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #206 | $40,799 | — | 80 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #302 | $40,378 | — | 129 |
| International Business. | #70 | $29,271 | — | 47 |
Health programs show significant variation, with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing delivering strong $74,842 earnings and ranking #129 nationally, while Animal-Assisted Therapy produces more modest $39,930 earnings but ranks exceptionally at #8 nationally. These programs serve different career pathways within healthcare, from direct patient care to specialized therapeutic interventions.
Students should consider career goals and earnings expectations when selecting among these diverse health-focused options.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #132 | $74,842★ | — | 138 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist. | #65 | $53,838 | — | 21 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #103 | $47,608 | — | 28 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | #54 | $40,655 | — | 24 |
| Animal-Assisted Therapy. | #11 | $39,930 | — | 164 |
Biology represents UTRGV's largest program with 538 graduates earning $42,925, ranking #116 nationally and #6 in Texas. The program combines substantial enrollment with solid earnings outcomes, indicating strong preparation for healthcare, research, and graduate study pathways.
As the flagship program by enrollment, Biology demonstrates the university's commitment to STEM education while serving diverse career interests from pre-professional preparation to research-oriented tracks.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Chemistry. | #91 | $53,725★ | — | 42 |
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #163 | $53,721 | — | 43 |
| Biology, General. | #117 | $42,925 | $5,000 | 538 |
Psychology produces $37,253 earnings with large enrollment of 425 students, though ranking at #265 nationally. Forensic Social Work generates slightly higher earnings at $37,839 with more specialized career preparation.
These programs serve students interested in human behavior and social services, though earnings outcomes reflect typical challenges in social science fields. Students should consider graduate school preparation as these fields often require advanced degrees for career advancement.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods.Small sample | #33 | $46,843★ | — | 12 |
| Applied Economics.Small sample | #212 | $43,166 | — | 15 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #139 | $37,839 | — | 121 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #207 | $37,586 | — | 51 |
| Psychology, General. | #270 | $37,253 | — | 425 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #265 | $36,802 | — | 56 |
| Anthropology, General.Small sample | #161 | $21,508 | — | 19 |
Communication and Media Studies produces $37,252 earnings with moderate national ranking at #200. The program serves 135 students annually, indicating steady demand for media and communication skills.
While earnings outcomes are modest, the field provides preparation for diverse communication roles across industries. Students should consider specialization areas and internship opportunities to enhance career prospects in this competitive field.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #210 | $37,252 | — | 135 |
English Language and Literature delivers strong value at $44,417 earnings, ranking #88 nationally and demonstrating above-average performance for humanities fields. Art History produces lower earnings at $30,090 but ranks #137 nationally.
These programs provide strong liberal arts preparation with writing and analytical skills valued across industries, though students should consider career pathway planning and potential graduate study requirements for optimal outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass Instruments. | #9 | $55,090★ | — | 39 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #90 | $44,417 | — | 129 |
| American History (United States). | #257 | $34,809 | — | 50 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #142 | $34,037 | — | 38 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #78 | $30,988 | — | 20 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #147 | $30,090 | — | 103 |
| Acting. | #154 | $20,296 | — | 26 |
Corrections Administration stands out with strong $44,047 earnings and impressive #69 national ranking, #5 in Texas. With 425 graduates annually, this represents one of UTRGV's largest and most successful programs.
The strong national ranking and solid earnings outcomes reflect effective preparation for law enforcement, corrections, and security careers. This program demonstrates UTRGV's strength in serving regional workforce needs in public safety fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #69 | $44,047 | — | 425 |
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies delivers exceptional value at $47,900 earnings while ranking #38 nationally and #16 in Texas. With 345 graduates, this large program combines diverse academic preparation with strong outcomes.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology produces similar earnings at $47,520, ranking #59 nationally. These programs demonstrate UTRGV's effectiveness in interdisciplinary education, providing flexible preparation that translates to strong career outcomes across multiple fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #43 | $47,900★ | — | 345 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #58 | $47,520 | — | 305 |
| Adult Development and Aging.Small sample | #95 | $26,897 | — | 19 |
| African-American/Black Studies.Small sample | #88 | $23,604 | — | 17 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
