About The University of Texas at El Paso
UTEP is one of the nation's most distinctive public research universities, serving over 20,500 students in the desert landscape along the U.S.-Mexico border. The campus is well-known for its engineering programs and its role as a Hispanic-serving institution, with 87.74% of students identifying as Hispanic. Notable graduates include congresswoman Veronica Escobar and former representative Beto O'Rourke, reflecting the university's tradition of producing civic leaders. The Miners compete in NCAA Division I athletics across 13 varsity sports.
Students pay an average net price of $10,726 after financial aid, making UTEP remarkably affordable for a four-year degree. Over 60% of students receive financial aid, with the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants. Graduates earn a median salary of $50,923 ten years after completion, while carrying a manageable median debt of $18,000. The monthly loan payment averages just $191, creating a favorable return on investment for most students.
The university maintains an open-door policy with a 99.92% acceptance rate, welcoming students regardless of test scores or academic background. However, persistence becomes the real challenge, with only 46% of students graduating within four years. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes, but 93% of graduates find employment after completing their degrees.
Students pay an average net price of $10,726 after financial aid, making UTEP remarkably affordable for a four-year degree. Over 60% of students receive financial aid, with the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants. Graduates earn a median salary of $50,923 ten years after completion, while carrying a manageable median debt of $18,000. The monthly loan payment averages just $191, creating a favorable return on investment for most students.
The university maintains an open-door policy with a 99.92% acceptance rate, welcoming students regardless of test scores or academic background. However, persistence becomes the real challenge, with only 46% of students graduating within four years. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes, but 93% of graduates find employment after completing their degrees.
Academics & Faculty
UTEP operates as a public research university with particularly strong engineering programs that serve the largest Hispanic student population in the continental United States at 87.74%. The school's engineering college draws students across the Southwest, while its business and health sciences programs also attract regional attention. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend toward the larger side, requiring students to be proactive about connecting with professors. The 46.61% four-year graduation rate reflects challenges many first-generation college students face, but also shows the university's commitment to access over exclusivity. UTEP's research opportunities span from border studies to materials science, taking advantage of its unique location along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 46.6%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 45.9%
- Retention Rate
- 77.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $50,923
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R1)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $126,504 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,522 |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $84,653 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $76,802 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $76,460 |
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $68,219 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,821 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $65,821 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $65,332 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $62,710 |
Campus Life
UTEP sits on 366 acres in the Chihuahuan Desert, where you'll need sunscreen year-round and temperatures regularly hit 100°F in summer. Only 5% of the 20,547 students live on campus in the 998 available housing spots, making this largely a commuter school where most students drive home after classes. The campus overlooks El Paso and Juarez, Mexico, creating a truly binational atmosphere where 87.74% of students are Hispanic and many cross the border daily for family or work.
Weekends often involve trips to nearby Franklin Mountains State Park or crossing into Juarez for authentic Mexican food and culture. The Miners compete in 13 Division I sports, though football draws the biggest crowds to the Sun Bowl Stadium. With 93.36% of students from Texas, most know each other from high school or through family connections. Students frequently speak Spanish between classes, and the campus feels more like an extension of the broader El Paso community than an isolated college bubble. The desert setting means outdoor activities happen year-round, though summers can be brutal.
Weekends often involve trips to nearby Franklin Mountains State Park or crossing into Juarez for authentic Mexican food and culture. The Miners compete in 13 Division I sports, though football draws the biggest crowds to the Sun Bowl Stadium. With 93.36% of students from Texas, most know each other from high school or through family connections. Students frequently speak Spanish between classes, and the campus feels more like an extension of the broader El Paso community than an isolated college bubble. The desert setting means outdoor activities happen year-round, though summers can be brutal.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 998 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
43 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 34°–58°F
- July Avg
- 73°–95°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 8.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 2.8"
Student Demographics
This border university draws almost entirely from Texas, with 93% of students staying close to home. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic at 88%, reflecting UTEP's mission as a Hispanic-serving institution in a binational community. Over 60% receive Pell Grants, showing the school's commitment to first-generation and lower-income students. Women slightly outnumber men, typical for universities focused on access and inclusion. The demographics mirror El Paso itself, creating an authentic connection between campus and community along the Rio Grande.
- Men
- 45.6%
- Women
- 54.4%
- White
- 3.8%
- Black
- 1.8%
- Hispanic
- 87.7%
- Asian
- 0.7%
- In-State Students
- 93.4%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 60.6%
Location
El Paso sits on the far western tip of Texas, directly on the U.S.-Mexico border across from Juarez. The city has over 680,000 residents, making it the sixth-largest in Texas. Denver lies 600 miles to the north while Phoenix sits 430 miles to the west. The Franklin Mountains create a dramatic desert backdrop right through the city center. Students experience a true border culture where 87.74% of the campus is Hispanic, reflecting the binational community. The desert climate brings over 300 sunny days per year and minimal rainfall. UTEP's campus features distinctive Bhutanese architecture that stands out against the Chihuahuan Desert landscape. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare UTEP with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- El Paso, Texas 79968-0691
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $50,923
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $57,030
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $35,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 46.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $191/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $18,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at The University of Texas at El Paso?
UTEP admits 99.92% of applicants, making it one of the most accessible universities in Texas. The average SAT score is 980, reflecting the school's commitment to serving students from diverse academic backgrounds in the border region.
How much does The University of Texas at El Paso cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $10,726 annually, with 60.60% receiving financial aid. The median student debt is $18,000, lower than the national average for public universities.
What is The University of Texas at El Paso known for academically?
UTEP is recognized for its strong engineering programs and serves as a major research university along the U.S.-Mexico border. The school has a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs that emphasize cross-cultural education and bilingual opportunities.
What are the graduation outcomes at The University of Texas at El Paso?
The six-year graduation rate is 45.90%, with graduates earning a median salary of $50,923 ten years after enrollment. Alumni have a 92.4% employment rate, reflecting strong job placement in the El Paso regional economy.
Where do students live at The University of Texas at El Paso?
Campus housing accommodates 998 students out of the total enrollment of 20,547. Most students are local, with 93.36% coming from Texas, and many commute from the greater El Paso area.
What makes The University of Texas at El Paso unique demographically?
UTEP serves a predominantly Hispanic student body, with 87.74% of students identifying as Hispanic. This makes it one of the most diverse universities in the nation and a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution along the border.
