Both UT El Paso and UT San Antonio offer accessible public education with distinct advantages for different student priorities.
Admission and Cost: UT El Paso accepts virtually all applicants (99.92% acceptance rate) compared to UT San Antonio's more selective 86.90% rate. UT San Antonio costs less annually ($8,991 vs $9,744 in-state tuition) but has a slightly higher average net price ($11,234 vs $10,726). UT El Paso graduates carry less debt ($18,000 vs $20,500 median).
Academic Environment: UT San Antonio serves nearly 30,000 students compared to UT El Paso's 20,547, creating different campus atmospheres. UT El Paso offers better faculty access with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio versus UT San Antonio's 25:1. However, UT San Antonio demonstrates stronger retention (79.40% vs 77.35%) and graduation rates (51.20% vs 45.90%).
Outcomes: UT San Antonio graduates earn significantly more ten years post-graduation ($57,131 vs $50,923 median), representing a $6,208 annual advantage that justifies the slightly higher debt load. Both schools compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Academic Strengths: UT El Paso excels in engineering, health sciences, and serves a predominantly Hispanic student population along the Mexican border. UT San Antonio has growing programs in business, cybersecurity, and benefits from San Antonio's larger job market.
Location Impact: El Paso offers a unique binational experience and lower living costs, while San Antonio provides more internship opportunities and cultural amenities in Texas's second-largest city.
Students seeking guaranteed admission, lower debt, and border community engagement fit UT El Paso better, while those prioritizing higher earnings potential and urban opportunities should choose UT San Antonio.
Admission and Cost: UT El Paso accepts virtually all applicants (99.92% acceptance rate) compared to UT San Antonio's more selective 86.90% rate. UT San Antonio costs less annually ($8,991 vs $9,744 in-state tuition) but has a slightly higher average net price ($11,234 vs $10,726). UT El Paso graduates carry less debt ($18,000 vs $20,500 median).
Academic Environment: UT San Antonio serves nearly 30,000 students compared to UT El Paso's 20,547, creating different campus atmospheres. UT El Paso offers better faculty access with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio versus UT San Antonio's 25:1. However, UT San Antonio demonstrates stronger retention (79.40% vs 77.35%) and graduation rates (51.20% vs 45.90%).
Outcomes: UT San Antonio graduates earn significantly more ten years post-graduation ($57,131 vs $50,923 median), representing a $6,208 annual advantage that justifies the slightly higher debt load. Both schools compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Academic Strengths: UT El Paso excels in engineering, health sciences, and serves a predominantly Hispanic student population along the Mexican border. UT San Antonio has growing programs in business, cybersecurity, and benefits from San Antonio's larger job market.
Location Impact: El Paso offers a unique binational experience and lower living costs, while San Antonio provides more internship opportunities and cultural amenities in Texas's second-largest city.
Students seeking guaranteed admission, lower debt, and border community engagement fit UT El Paso better, while those prioritizing higher earnings potential and urban opportunities should choose UT San Antonio.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| The University of Texas at El Paso | The University of Texas at San Antonio | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 99.9% | 86.9% |
| SAT Average | 980 | 1,115 |
| Enrollment | 20,547 | 29,675 |
| In-State Tuition | $9,744 | $8,991 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $25,512 | $21,965 |
| Net Price | $10,726 | $11,234 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.9% | 51.2% |
| Retention Rate | 77.4% | 79.4% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $50,923 | $57,131 |
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $20,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| The University of Texas at El Paso | The University of Texas at San Antonio | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $66,821 | Computer Engineering. | $68,907 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $62,710 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $62,734 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $60,623 | Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | $61,218 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | $58,943 | Civil Engineering. | $60,771 |
| Metallurgical Engineering. | $57,318 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $60,264 |