Edinburg, TX · Private University
Is The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$49,620
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,859
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,939
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$79,756
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.49x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
49.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$12,950
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$6,500
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn $4,620 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked by graduate earnings
72 graduates
41 graduates
201 graduates
129 graduates
58 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the gap between the highest-earning major (Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering: $86,662) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $20,296) is $66,366/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications EngineeringBest ROI | $86,662 | 4.3x |
| Computer Engineering | $78,008 | 3.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $74,842 | 3.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $74,167 | 3.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $66,612 | 3.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $57,952 | 2.9x |
| Music | $55,090 | 2.8x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $53,838 | 2.7x |
| Chemistry | $53,725 | 2.7x |
| Mathematics | $53,721 | 2.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $51,779 | 2.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,420 | 2.4x |
| Marketing | $48,215 | 2.4x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $47,900 | 2.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,520 | 2.4x |
| Social Sciences, General | $46,843 | 2.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,417 | 2.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $44,047 | 2.2x |
| Biology, General | $42,925 | 2.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,799 | 2.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $40,655 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,378 | 2.0x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | $39,930 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $37,839 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $37,253 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,252 | 1.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $36,802 | 1.9x |
| History | $34,809 | 1.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $34,037 | 1.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,090 | 1.5x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $29,271 | 1.5x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services(1yr data) | $26,897 | 1.4x |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language(1yr data) | $25,048 | 1.3x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $23,604 | 1.2x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $21,213 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest | $20,296 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $49,620 10 years after starting, $4,620 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.5 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.