The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Texas A&M University-Kingsville: which has better ROI?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $19,324 in 15.3 years versus 15.7 years at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, on median earnings of $49,620 vs $51,450 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Texas A&M University-Kingsville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,831 | $12,090 |
| Total net cost | $19,324 | $48,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,620 | $51,450 |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $22,934 |
| Payback | 15.3 yrs | 15.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $5,876 | $13,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or Texas A&M University-Kingsville?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, at $4,831 a year after aid versus $12,090 — a gap of $7,259 a year, or $29,036 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 Rio Grande Valley or Texas A&M University-Kingsville graduates earn more?
Texas A&M University-Kingsville graduates report a median $51,450 ten years after entry, $1,830 more than the $49,620 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. 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 Rio Grande Valley or Texas A&M University-Kingsville?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: its completers carry a median $12,950 in federal loans versus $22,934 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, a difference of $9,984. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
51% of students finish at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, against 42% at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. 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.