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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs The University of Texas at El Paso: which has better ROI?

Public, Edinburg TX · vs · Public, El Paso TX

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

The University of Texas at El Paso has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,612 in 14.7 years versus 15.3 years at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, on median earnings of $50,923 vs $49,620 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyThe University of Texas at El Paso
Net price / yr$4,831$9,403
Total net cost$19,324$37,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,620$50,923
Median debt$12,950$18,000
Payback15.3 yrs14.7 yrs
20-year net return$5,876$13,648

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 The University of Texas at El Paso?

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, at $4,831 a year after aid versus $9,403 — a gap of $4,572 a year, or $18,288 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 The University of Texas at El Paso graduates earn more?

The University of Texas at El Paso graduates report a median $50,923 ten years after entry, $1,303 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 The University of Texas at El Paso?

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: its completers carry a median $12,950 in federal loans versus $18,000 at The University of Texas at El Paso, a difference of $5,050. 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 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.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs The University of Texas at El Paso: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or The University of Texas at El Paso a better value?
The University of Texas at El Paso. It clears its $37,612 net cost in about 14.7 years versus 15.3 years at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, on median earnings of $50,923 vs $49,620 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or The University of Texas at El Paso?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: $4,831/yr net price after aid versus $9,403/yr at The University of Texas at El Paso — a difference of $4,572 a year, or about $18,288 over four years.
Do The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley or The University of Texas at El Paso graduates earn more?
The University of Texas at El Paso graduates earn a median $50,923 ten years after entry, versus $49,620 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — a $1,303 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.