The University of Texas at El Paso vs Southwestern University: which has better ROI?
Southwestern University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $116,896 in 13.7 years versus 14.7 years at The University of Texas at El Paso, on median earnings of $56,878 vs $50,923 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Texas at El Paso | Southwestern University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,403 | $29,224 |
| Total net cost | $37,612 | $116,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,923 | $56,878 |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | 14.7 yrs | 13.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $13,648 | $53,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas at El Paso or Southwestern University?
The University of Texas at El Paso, at $9,403 a year after aid versus $29,224 — a gap of $19,821 a year, or $79,284 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Texas at El Paso or Southwestern University graduates earn more?
Southwestern University graduates report a median $56,878 ten years after entry, $5,955 more than the $50,923 at The University of Texas at El Paso. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, The University of Texas at El Paso or Southwestern University?
The University of Texas at El Paso: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Southwestern University, a difference of $7,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Southwestern University, against 50% at The University of Texas at El Paso. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.