Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso

235Students

Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso

This specialized health sciences center trains future physicians specifically for underserved communities in the Southwest. The school enrolls just 235 students, creating an intimate medical education environment in El Paso's urban setting. Students benefit from a 9:1 student-faculty ratio that enables intensive mentorship and hands-on clinical training. The institution focuses heavily on preparing doctors who will serve Hispanic and border communities.

The financial picture looks favorable for medical school. Students graduate with a median debt of just $12,500, remarkably low for medical education. Monthly loan payments average only $133, making this one of the most affordable paths to becoming a physician. Graduates earn a median of $71,244 within their first year, though this likely reflects residency salaries rather than full physician earnings. Over half of students receive financial aid, with 53.1% qualifying for Pell Grants.

The student body reflects the communities these future doctors will serve. Hispanic students make up 87.7% of enrollment, while women comprise 84.7% of the class. Nearly 98% of graduates find employment, demonstrating strong job placement in the medical field. Federal loans support 69.8% of students, but the low debt burden makes this investment particularly manageable.

Academics & Faculty

This health sciences center trains future physicians specifically for underserved communities along the Texas-Mexico border. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intensive mentoring in clinical rotations and medical coursework. Nearly 88% of students are Hispanic, reflecting the school's mission to develop culturally competent doctors for the region's predominantly Latino population. The curriculum emphasizes family medicine and primary care specialties that address health disparities in rural and urban underserved areas. Students gain hands-on experience in community health centers and border clinics. The focused medical education model produces graduates equipped to practice in settings where Spanish fluency and cultural understanding are essential for patient care.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 79.0%
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (Mixed)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Master	$98,936
Biology, General.	Master	$18,315

View all 6 programs →

Campus Life

This specialized health sciences campus sits in El Paso, right on the Mexican border with 650,000 residents. The desert climate means you'll need sunscreen year-round and rarely touch a winter coat. Women make up 85% of the student body, reflecting the gender distribution in health professions. The intimate size of 235 students creates tight-knit study groups where everyone knows each other.

The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and career goals. Most students commute since this is primarily a graduate health sciences center without traditional dorms. Weekends often involve clinical rotations at local hospitals or studying for medical boards rather than typical college parties. The campus serves a predominantly Hispanic student population at 88%, mirroring the local community these future physicians will serve. Students frequently cross into Juárez for cultural experiences and affordable dining. The focus stays intensely academic, with 98% employment rates driving the competitive but collaborative atmosphere among future doctors and health professionals.

Setting: City-Large
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

2 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Fondling	2	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 34°–58°F
July Avg: 73°–95°F
Annual Precipitation: 8.8"
Annual Snowfall: 2.8"

Student Demographics

This health sciences center draws predominantly Hispanic students who reflect the border community it serves. Women make up nearly 85% of enrollment, typical for health professions programs like nursing and allied health. More than half of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school successfully attracts first-generation college students from working-class families. The tiny enrollment of 235 students creates an intimate learning environment. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personalized attention as they train to become healthcare providers in underserved communities along the Texas-Mexico border.

Men: 15.3%
Women: 84.7%
White: 3.0%
Black: 4.3%
Hispanic: 87.7%
Asian: 0.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 53.1%

Location

El Paso sits on the Texas-Mexico border, directly across from Juárez, creating one of the largest binational metropolitan areas in North America. The city's population exceeds 680,000 residents. Students train in a desert environment surrounded by the Franklin Mountains. El Paso serves as a major healthcare center for West Texas and southern New Mexico, with limited medical education options in this vast region. The border location provides unique clinical training opportunities in cross-cultural healthcare delivery. The nearest major cities are Albuquerque (270 miles north) and San Antonio (550 miles east). This geographic isolation means the health sciences center serves as a critical training ground for physicians who will practice in underserved rural and border communities. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso with similar schools in the region.

Address: El Paso, Texas 79905-2827

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body composition at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso?

The student body is 84.68% women and 15.32% men, reflecting the gender distribution common in health professions programs. The student population is 87.66% Hispanic, making it one of the most Hispanic-serving health sciences centers in the nation. With only 235 total students, the school maintains an intimate learning environment focused on training future healthcare professionals.

How much does Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso cost after financial aid?

Students graduate with a median debt of just $12,500, which translates to monthly loan payments of only $133. Over half of students (53.10%) receive financial aid, and the same percentage qualify for Pell Grants, indicating strong support for students from lower-income families. This affordability is remarkable for a medical education program.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso?

The student-faculty ratio is 9:1, providing exceptional access to professors and mentors. This small class environment is essential for medical training, allowing for hands-on clinical instruction and personalized guidance. The school specializes in training physicians to serve underserved communities along the Texas-Mexico border.

What are the employment outcomes for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso graduates?

Graduates achieve an outstanding 97.9% employment rate, reflecting the high demand for healthcare professionals. First-year median earnings reach $71,244, demonstrating the immediate value of the medical education received. The school's mission focuses on addressing physician shortages in underserved areas throughout the region.

Where is Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso located and what type of setting does it offer?

The campus sits in El Paso, a large border city that serves as a natural laboratory for studying border health issues and serving diverse populations. This urban setting provides extensive clinical training opportunities in hospitals and community health centers. The location strategically positions students to understand the unique healthcare challenges facing the US-Mexico border region.

How does Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center-El Paso support students financially?

Nearly 70% of students (69.77%) take federal loans to fund their medical education, yet graduate with relatively low debt compared to other medical schools. The school operates on a semester calendar system, allowing students to progress efficiently through their medical training. The combination of federal aid and the school's focus on affordability makes medical education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.