The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Texas at El Paso at a Glance
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a public research university in El Paso, Texas, United States. Founded in 1913 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, it is the third oldest academic component of the University of Texas System.
1913
113 years old
$387M
$386.8 million ( FY 2024) (UTEP only) $47.47 billion (FY2024) (system-wide)
26,297
21,118 undergrad · 3,921 grad
1,414
366 acres
Identity
Is The University of Texas at El Paso Worth It?
The University of Texas at El Paso delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $9,403/year, it's priced 54% below average, while graduates go on to earn $50,923 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 48% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How The University of Texas at El Paso compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #23 of 58 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #23 | The University of Texas at El Paso | 65 | $9,403 | $50,923 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Texas at El Paso's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in TX.
Best Programs at The University of Texas at El Paso
The highest-earning program at The University of Texas at El Paso is Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $62,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $16,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduate from The University of Texas at El Paso earns $62,000, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $16,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering graduates carry $18,000 in median debt vs. $16,952 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,403/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $62,000 | $62,000 | $18,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,000 | $61,000 | $16,669 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $53,500 | $53,500 | $15,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $51,100 | $51,100 | $17,743 |
| Civil Engineering | $50,800 | $50,800 | $20,169 |
| Industrial Engineering | $46,800 | $46,800 | $13,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $45,100 | $45,100 | $24,000 |
| Mathematics | $44,200 | $44,200 | $16,188 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $33,700 | $33,700 | $24,127 |
| Marketing | $33,600 | $33,600 | $15,200 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $33,100 | $33,100 | $18,250 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $32,500 | $32,500 | $14,750 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $32,000 | $32,000 | $22,743 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $31,200 | $31,200 | $21,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $30,600 | $30,600 | $16,793 |
| Social Work | $27,700 | $27,700 | $13,471 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,900 | $26,900 | $28,400 |
| Political Science and Government | $26,700 | $26,700 | $19,493 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $25,200 | $25,200 | $17,581 |
| Public Health | $23,900 | $23,900 | $24,250 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $23,500 | $23,500 | $21,500 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $23,100 | $23,100 | $18,227 |
| History | $23,000 | $23,000 | $22,362 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,800 | $22,800 | $18,350 |
| Psychology, General | $22,300 | $22,300 | $16,500 |
| Biology, General | $21,900 | $21,900 | $14,280 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $21,400 | $21,400 | $18,647 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $20,500 | $20,500 | $14,260 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $20,200 | $20,200 | $20,969 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $17,800 | $17,800 | $24,231 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $16,200 | $16,200 | $16,952 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- El Paso, TX
- Student Body
- 21,005 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,403
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,923
- Median Student Debt
- $18,000