The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley at a Glance
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university with its main campus in Edinburg, Texas, United States, and multiple other campuses throughout the Rio Grande Valley. It is the southernmost member of the University of Texas System. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was created by the Texas legislature in 2013 after the consolidation of the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas–Pan American.
2013
13 years old
$191M
$190.5 million ( FY 2024) (UTRGV only) $47.47 billion (FY2024) (system-wide)
35,812
28,674 undergrad · 5,207 grad
1,797
665 acres
Identity
How to Apply to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Official admissions page$50
Is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Worth It?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $4,831/year net price and $49,620 median earnings, graduates earn 10.3× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% 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 94% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #1 of 54 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 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 100 | $4,831 | $49,620 |
| #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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 12 in TX.
Best Programs at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The highest-earning program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $60,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $17,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley earns $60,300, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $17,800. 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: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $12,335 in median debt vs. $13,506 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $4,831/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $60,300 | $60,300 | $12,335 |
| Civil Engineering | $50,600 | $50,600 | $11,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $50,400 | $50,400 | N/A |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $49,300 | $49,300 | $16,156 |
| Music | $49,100 | $49,100 | $15,750 |
| Mathematics | $46,700 | $46,700 | $11,528 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $45,800 | $45,800 | $13,553 |
| Engineering Physics | $42,700 | $42,700 | $3,750 |
| Computer Science | $40,800 | $40,800 | N/A |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,300 | $39,300 | $8,687 |
| Computer Engineering | $37,900 | $37,900 | $16,332 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $33,800 | $33,800 | $9,999 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $29,400 | $29,400 | $10,120 |
| Marketing | $29,200 | $29,200 | $12,000 |
| Social Sciences, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $15,944 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $28,300 | $28,300 | $11,000 |
| Social Work | $28,100 | $28,100 | $13,725 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $27,400 | $27,400 | $11,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $26,600 | $26,600 | $9,611 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $26,000 | $26,000 | $16,734 |
| Biology, General | $25,900 | $25,900 | $9,818 |
| History | $25,900 | $25,900 | $11,331 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,700 | $25,700 | $11,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,400 | $25,400 | $12,292 |
| Psychology, General | $25,100 | $25,100 | $10,968 |
| Political Science and Government | $24,900 | $24,900 | $9,993 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $24,800 | $24,800 | $11,275 |
| Sociology | $23,000 | $23,000 | $10,339 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,800 | $22,800 | $8,739 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $19,800 | $19,800 | $11,018 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $18,500 | $18,500 | $10,625 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $18,500 | $18,500 | $9,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $17,800 | $17,800 | $13,506 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Edinburg, TX
- Student Body
- 28,666 students
- Admission Rate
- 94%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $4,831
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,620
- Median Student Debt
- $12,950