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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

UT Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, Texas 78539-2999

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanSports culture

Major research university — excellent value

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution in Edinburg with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1020, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 27K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

49% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $49,620 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $6,500.

Established
2013
Motto
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis
Mascot
Vaqueros
Type
Public research university
Conference
WAC
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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85%Acceptance
1020SAT Avg
27,026Students
19:1Student:Faculty
49%Grad Rate
$49,620Earnings 10yr
$6,500Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate84.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1020

Reading & Writing
470570
Math
440540

ACT Score Range

Composite
1622

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,859
Tuition (out-of-state)$19,939
Room & Board$9,662
Books & Supplies$1,190
Total Cost of Attendance$18,343
Average Net Price$6,500
Median Debt at Graduation$12,950
Monthly Payment (10yr)$137

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$5,006
$30–48K$5,775
$48–75K$7,695
$75–110K$13,104
$110K+$16,528

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

74.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$9,593

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

207

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

53

Burglary

11

Aggravated Assault

7

Robbery

18

Motor Vehicle Theft

22

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

54

Drug Arrests

41

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (160)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

79%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
27,026
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
53%
Pell Grant Recipients
64%

Race & Ethnicity

White 2%
Hispanic 94%
Asian 1%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate49.3%
Freshman Retention78.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$35,812
10 Years$49,620

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#213
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#58
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — that is

SoccerSwimming programsVolleyball

History & Fun Facts

  • In June 2013, the governor of Texas Rick Perry signed legislation creating the university.
  • In December 2013, the UT System Board of Regents voted to name the university the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).
  • In November 2014, the UT System Board of Regents approved the "Vaqueros" as the athletic nickname for University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from TX state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

San Antoniopop. 1.5M
216 mi(374 min)
Austinpop. 960K
275 mi(477 min)
Houstonpop. 2.3M
294 mi(510 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SAT San Antonio224 mi
AUS Austin271 mi
IAH Houston Intercontinental308 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1890 mi · ~54h 36m drive
New York, NY1702 mi · ~49h 10m drive
Hartford, CT1797 mi · ~51h 55m drive
Providence, RI1857 mi · ~53h 39m drive
Albany, NY1780 mi · ~51h 25m drive
Syracuse, NY1694 mi · ~48h 56m drive
Rochester, NY1640 mi · ~47h 23m drive
Buffalo, NY1579 mi · ~45h 37m drive
Philadelphia, PA1623 mi · ~46h 53m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1428 mi · ~41h 15m drive
Harrisburg, PA1556 mi · ~44h 57m drive
Newark, NJ1695 mi · ~48h 58m drive
Washington, DC1501 mi · ~43h 22m drive
Baltimore, MD1534 mi · ~44h 19m drive
Atlanta, GA970 mi · ~28h 1m drive
Charlotte, NC1197 mi · ~34h 35m drive
Raleigh, NC1325 mi · ~38h 17m drive
Miami, FL1116 mi · ~32h 14m drive
Orlando, FL1041 mi · ~30h 4m drive
Tampa, FL972 mi · ~28h 5m drive
Nashville, TN956 mi · ~27h 37m drive
New Orleans, LA554 mi · ~16h drive
Richmond, VA1438 mi · ~41h 33m drive
Chicago, IL1231 mi · ~35h 34m drive
Detroit, MI1399 mi · ~40h 25m drive
Minneapolis, MN1319 mi · ~38h 6m drive
St. Louis, MO969 mi · ~28h drive
Kansas City, MO908 mi · ~26h 14m drive
Indianapolis, IN1159 mi · ~33h 29m drive
Columbus, OH1285 mi · ~37h 7m drive
Cleveland, OH1407 mi · ~40h 39m drive
Milwaukee, WI1293 mi · ~37h 21m drive
Dallas, TX455 mi · ~13h 9m drive
Houston, TX294 mi · ~8h 30m drive
Austin, TX275 mi · ~7h 57m drive
San Antonio, TX216 mi · ~6h 14m drive
Los Angeles, CA1310 mi · ~37h 51m drive
San Francisco, CA1619 mi · ~46h 46m drive
San Diego, CA1222 mi · ~35h 18m drive
Seattle, WA1970 mi · ~56h 55m drive
Portland, OR1894 mi · ~54h 43m drive
Denver, CO1008 mi · ~29h 7m drive
Phoenix, AZ967 mi · ~27h 56m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1270 mi · ~36h 41m drive
Honolulu, HI3756 mi · ~108h 30m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Application Checklist

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