The University of Texas at El Paso
#3 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates- Graduation Rate
- 48% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,923 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,403 B
- 45% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 100% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 40.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $40.4 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates.
Every $1 spent returns $40.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,480,558.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 25% above the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 6.82% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $40.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #601-800
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 19/100
- Times Higher Education
Why The University of Texas at El Paso Matters
The University of Texas at El Paso is a public research university in El Paso, TX ranked #601-800 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise, an above-average alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 21,005
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical
Why students choose The University of Texas at El Paso
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 100% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 860–1080. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,403 a year after grants and scholarships — 45% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,923 ten years after enrolling — 25% above the typical college, against $18,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 6.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 1% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.09 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 21,000 students, the University of Texas at El Paso is a welcoming choice for those looking for an accessible public education. It has a 100% acceptance rate, which means that nearly everyone who applies has the chance to enroll. Students here often pursue popular fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, and Criminal Justice. This variety speaks to the diverse interests of our student body and the potential for collaboration across disciplines.
After graduation, students see an average earning of $50,923 within ten years, which offers a solid starting point for many. The affordability factor is appealing too; with a net price of $9,403 after aid, it’s a manageable investment in education. About 62% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that many come from low-income backgrounds but still find pathways to improve their circumstances through education.
When we look at the financial side, graduates face a median debt of $18,000, which is relatively low compared to some institutions. This manageable debt level helps students start their careers without the burden of overwhelming loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often driven and resourceful, making the most of the opportunities available, whether in the classroom or through community engagement.
Rankings
- #3 Colleges With the Highest Acceptance Rates
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Texas
- #7 Most Affordable MBA Programs
- #12 Best Engineering Colleges in Texas
- #14 Best Education Colleges in Texas
- #14 Best Biology Colleges in Texas
- #16 Best Communications Colleges in Texas
- #20 Most Affordable Colleges for Criminal Justice
Can I Get In?
How selective The University of Texas at El Paso is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Texas at El Paso? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in El Paso, Texas, The University of Texas at El Paso admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 962. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 100%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- SAT Average
- 962
- SAT Range
- 860–1080
- ACT Range
- 17–22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 68%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,239
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.22
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 10,493
- Admitted
- 10,485
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set ·
The acceptance rate tells you how hard The University of Texas at El Paso is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 34% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 34%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 54%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 2%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 56% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Texas at El Paso? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Texas at El Paso is $25,502, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,403. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,863 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,744
- Out-of-State
- $25,502
- Avg Net Price
- $9,403
- Median Debt
- $18,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 62%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 27%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,863
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,136
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,120
- Family Income $110K+
- $18,282
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at The University of Texas at El Paso — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is The University of Texas at El Paso Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Texas at El Paso earn a median of $50,923, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,978
- 8 Years
- $44,575
- 10 Years
- $50,923
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (529)
- 18%
- 100% (529)
- 18%
- 100% (529)
- 18%
- 100% (529)
- 18%
How The Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is The University of Texas at El Paso Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, The University of Texas at El Paso delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,403/year ($37,612 total). Graduates earn $50,923 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,518,170 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,480,558 (40.4× your investment). The median debt is $18,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 48% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $37,612
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,518,170
- Net Return
- $1,480,558
- ROI Multiple
- 40.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,403
- Median Debt
- $18,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 48%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does The University of Texas at El Paso Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The University of Texas at El Paso is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 6.82%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 28% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $42,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 6.82%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 28.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $57,607
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 19/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 18/100
- Citation impact (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-32,837,146
Top Programs
The fields The University of Texas at El Paso awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 14% $74,512 early-career
- Business & Marketing 12% $44,210 early-career
- Engineering 11% $79,396 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 10% $39,121 early-career
- Psychology 8% $28,066 early-career
- Criminal Justice 8% $37,196 early-career
- Education 5% $64,143 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $72,032 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for The University of Texas at El Paso's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into The University of Texas at El Paso? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in El Paso, Texas, The University of Texas at El Paso admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 100%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 962. The graduation rate is roughly 48%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend The University of Texas at El Paso? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at The University of Texas at El Paso is $25,502, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,403. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,863 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $18,000 in federal student loans.
Is The University of Texas at El Paso Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of The University of Texas at El Paso earn a median of $50,923, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does The University of Texas at El Paso Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
The University of Texas at El Paso is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 6.82%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 28% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $42,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is The University of Texas at El Paso? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at The University of Texas at El Paso. Its economic connectedness score is 1.09, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is The University of Texas at El Paso? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places The University of Texas at El Paso at #601-800 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 19/100, teaching at 19/100, and citation impact of 18/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does The University of Texas at El Paso offer Early Decision?
No. The University of Texas at El Paso does not report a binding Early Decision plan.
Is The University of Texas at El Paso really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 56% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at The University of Texas at El Paso.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at The University of Texas at El Paso?
About 34% of admitted students choose to enroll at The University of Texas at El Paso — its yield rate. Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to The University of Texas at El Paso.
- University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV · Close peer50% grad $55,037 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX · Close peer50% grad $49,620 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- California State University-FresnoFresno, CA · Close peer56% grad $61,244 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · Close peer50% grad $54,990 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-Dominguez HillsCarson, CA · Close peer45% grad $57,162 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is The University of Texas at El Paso? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at The University of Texas at El Paso. Its economic connectedness score is 1.09, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 3% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note