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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Edinburg, TX · 28,666 students

The verdict

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley charges a net price of $4,831/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $19,324. Graduates earn a median $49,620 ten years after entry, $1,260/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 15.3 years — a 20-year net return of $5,876, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's 15.3-year payback ranks #973 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 24% of them, and #48 of 213 in Texas.

Better ROI than 24% of US colleges#973 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$4,831
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$49,620
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
15.3 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
94%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$4,831/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$19,324our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$49,620Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$1,260/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$12,950Scorecard, 2026
Payback15.3 yrsour math
20-year net return$5,876our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

The arithmetic, on The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's own numbers. Net price $4,831 × 4 years = $19,324 total. Median earnings $49,620 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,260 a year of premium. $19,324 ÷ $1,260 = 15.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $5,876. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.

How much debt do The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students graduate with?

A median $12,950 in federal loans among completers, or 26% of the $49,620 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.

What share of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students graduate?

51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $19,324 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $37,890 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.

Is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley expensive compared with other Texas colleges?

Its $4,831 net price runs $14,528 below the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, and $58,112 less across the full degree.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley charges $4,831/yr after aid ($19,324 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $49,620 ten years out — $1,260/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 15.3 years and returns $5,876 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley degree take to pay off?
About 15.3 years. We divide the $19,324 four-year net cost by the $1,260/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $4,831/yr — about $19,324 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley compare to other Texas colleges?
It ranks #48 of 213 Texas colleges we track by payback. Its $49,620 median earnings beat the national median of $43,549, and its $4,831 net price is below the national median of $16,902.