About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
UTRGV dominates higher education in South Texas, serving 27,026 students in a region where Mexican culture blends seamlessly with American academics. The university built its reputation on health sciences, with a medical school that addresses the physician shortage along the border. Engineering and business programs also draw students who want to stay close to home while accessing serious research opportunities. The campus sits in Edinburg, a mid-sized city that feels both distinctly Texan and undeniably bicultural.
Students pay an average net price of $6,500 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable paths to a four-year degree in Texas. With 63.76% of students receiving Pell Grants, UTRGV clearly serves working families. Graduates earn a median of $49,620 ten years after graduation while carrying typical debt of just $12,950. The math works in students' favor, especially considering monthly loan payments average only $137.
The student body is 93.75% Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of the Rio Grande Valley itself. Nearly all students come from Texas, creating a tight community where Spanish flows as freely as English across campus. The Vaqueros compete in Division I athletics, though academics remain the primary draw for students building careers that will serve their border community.
Students pay an average net price of $6,500 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable paths to a four-year degree in Texas. With 63.76% of students receiving Pell Grants, UTRGV clearly serves working families. Graduates earn a median of $49,620 ten years after graduation while carrying typical debt of just $12,950. The math works in students' favor, especially considering monthly loan payments average only $137.
The student body is 93.75% Hispanic, reflecting the demographics of the Rio Grande Valley itself. Nearly all students come from Texas, creating a tight community where Spanish flows as freely as English across campus. The Vaqueros compete in Division I athletics, though academics remain the primary draw for students building careers that will serve their border community.
Academics & Faculty
UTRGV operates as a public research university serving the predominantly Hispanic Rio Grande Valley with a focus on accessible higher education. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes are common, particularly in introductory courses. The university has invested heavily in health sciences, opening a medical school in 2016 to address the region's physician shortage. Engineering and business programs draw students seeking practical degrees with regional job market relevance. The 49.3% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many first-generation college students face balancing work and family obligations. UTRGV's bilingual environment helps students navigate between English academic work and Spanish-speaking home communities along the Texas-Mexico border.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 81.5%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 50.9%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.3%
- Retention Rate
- 78.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,620
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $109,235 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $106,421 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,516 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $61,516 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,334 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $56,234 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $55,693 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $55,151 |
| Mathematics. | Master | $53,810 |
| Biology, General. | Master | $53,697 |
Campus Life
This sprawling South Texas campus sits 250 miles south of San Antonio in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, where palm trees line walkways and temperatures rarely drop below 40 degrees. With housing for just 1,106 students out of 27,026 total enrollment, only about 4% live on campus. Most students commute from nearby communities across the Valley, creating a campus that bustles during weekdays but quiets on weekends.
The university serves as the educational center for a region where 93.75% of students are Hispanic, many being first-generation college students. Students often head to nearby McAllen for shopping and entertainment, or cross into Mexico for cultural experiences just 10 miles away. The Rio Grande provides recreational opportunities, while the subtropical climate means shorts and t-shirts dominate wardrobes year-round. Campus life revolves around academic programs during the week, with many students balancing family obligations and part-time work. The Vaqueros compete in 12 Division I sports, though athletic culture takes a backseat to the university's primary mission of serving the Valley's educational needs.
The university serves as the educational center for a region where 93.75% of students are Hispanic, many being first-generation college students. Students often head to nearby McAllen for shopping and entertainment, or cross into Mexico for cultural experiences just 10 miles away. The Rio Grande provides recreational opportunities, while the subtropical climate means shorts and t-shirts dominate wardrobes year-round. Campus life revolves around academic programs during the week, with many students balancing family obligations and part-time work. The Vaqueros compete in 12 Division I sports, though athletic culture takes a backseat to the university's primary mission of serving the Valley's educational needs.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 1,106 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
35 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fondling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 48°–70°F
- July Avg
- 75°–96°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 24.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
UTRGV draws almost entirely from Texas, with 99% of students coming from in-state. The student body is overwhelmingly Hispanic at nearly 94%, reflecting the university's deep roots in the Rio Grande Valley's Mexican-American community. Women outnumber men by a significant margin, typical for universities with strong health science and education programs. Nearly two-thirds of students receive Pell Grants, showing UTRGV's commitment to serving first-generation college students from working-class families. This creates a campus where bilingual, bicultural students pursue upward mobility while staying connected to their border heritage.
- Men
- 41.6%
- Women
- 58.4%
- White
- 1.9%
- Black
- 0.5%
- Hispanic
- 93.8%
- Asian
- 1.1%
- In-State Students
- 99.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 63.8%
Location
Edinburg sits in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, just 10 miles from the Mexican border and 300 miles south of San Antonio. The city serves as a gateway to Latin America, with 93.75% of UTRGV students identifying as Hispanic. This region represents one of the fastest-growing areas in Texas, blending American and Mexican cultures along the fertile Rio Grande. Students experience a unique border community where Spanish and English flow seamlessly through campus conversations. The subtropical climate means palm trees and year-round warmth. Local agriculture and international trade shape the economy, while nearby McAllen provides urban amenities just 15 minutes away. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Edinburg, Texas 78539-2999
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $49,620
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $53,360
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $137/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $12,950
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
UTRGV accepts 87.7% of applicants with an average SAT score of 960. This accessible admission policy reflects the university's mission to serve the Rio Grande Valley community and provide educational opportunities to first-generation college students.
How much does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $6,500 annually, with 63.76% receiving financial aid. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $5,006 on average, making this one of the most affordable universities in Texas.
What is the student-faculty ratio at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The student-faculty ratio is 19:1 across the university's 27,026 enrolled students. UTRGV operates as a public research university with strong programs in medicine, engineering, and business that serve the border region.
What are the graduation rates at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The four-year graduation rate is 50.91% with a six-year rate of 49.3%. Many students work while attending school and take longer to complete degrees, which is common at universities serving working-class communities along the Mexican border.
Where do students live at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Campus housing accommodates 1,106 students out of the total enrollment of 27,026. Most students commute from home since 99.04% are Texas residents, primarily from the Rio Grande Valley communities surrounding Edinburg.
What makes The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley unique demographically?
Hispanic students comprise 93.75% of enrollment, making UTRGV one of the most Hispanic-serving universities in the nation. The student body is 58.4% women, reflecting the university's role in educating the predominantly Mexican-American population of South Texas.
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