At $10,726/yr net price, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates earn $50,923/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,923/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,726 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,904 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,923/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,923/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,413/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,876/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,289/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,289/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,978/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $126,504 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $100,522 | $41,000 |
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $84,653 | $26,718 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $76,802 | $44,877 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | Master | $76,460 | $38,201 |
| Systems Engineering. | Master | $68,219 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,821 | $17,823 |
| 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 | $18,700 |
The Risk Factor
45.9% of students at The University of Texas at El Paso graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
UTEP gives you a low-cost degree with a moderate payoff. You pay under $11,000 a year and carry $18,000 in median debt at graduation, so the sticker risk is small. The catch is the 45.9% graduation rate: fewer than half of you finish, and the debt without a degree is where UTEP hurts people.
The engineering and health programs are where the money is. Electrical engineering grads clear $66,000 ten years out on debt near $17,800, and nursing pays over $62,000 on comparable debt. Computer science and mechanical engineering both land in the high $50,000s to low $60,000s. These majors pay off cleanly because El Paso and the broader Texas border economy hire engineers and nurses, and the debt stays flat while the salary climbs. If you enroll in one of these five programs and finish, UTEP is a strong financial bet.
Outside those fields, the picture gets thinner. The school-wide median earnings sit around $51,000, well below what the top programs return, so majors outside engineering and nursing pull that average down. Pick a low-earning major here and you still pay the same tuition without the salary to match.
The real risk is retention, not price. About 23% of you won't return after year one, and finishing takes longer than four years for many. Every extra semester adds cost and delays your earnings.
UTEP fits you if you're paying in-state prices, targeting engineering, computing, or nursing, and can commit to finishing. Net price barely moves for families under $75,000, staying near $9,000 to $11,000, so lower-income families get real value. Above $110,000 you pay closer to $19,000, still cheap for a four-year degree. Look elsewhere only if you can't stay enrolled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The University of Texas at El Paso worth the cost?
UTEP offers solid value with a low net price of $10,726 annually and manageable debt levels around $18,000. However, the 46% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly hurts ROI.
What are the best paying majors at The University of Texas at El Paso?
Nursing programs lead with graduates earning over $100,000, followed by computer engineering at $84,653. Most other programs produce modest earnings that may not justify the time investment given the low graduation rates.
How much debt do students typically have after The University of Texas at El Paso?
Median debt is $18,000, which is reasonable compared to national averages. The bigger concern is whether students actually graduate to earn the income needed to pay it back.
Why is The University of Texas at El Paso acceptance rate so high?
UTEP accepts 99.92% of applicants with an average SAT of 980, making it essentially open admission. This accessibility is valuable for the region, but students should carefully consider their ability to complete their degree.