UT Dallas vs The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)

The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) are two distinct universities within the University of Texas System, each offering unique educational experiences. UTD, located in the vibrant city of Richardson, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while UTRGV, situated in the Rio Grande Valley, offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes. Both universities excel in different areas, with UTD being renowned for its strengths in engineering, computer science, and business, while UTRGV shines in fields such as nursing, education, and social work. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these universities, including their acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to help you make an informed decision about your higher education journey.

	The University of Texas at Dallas	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Overview
Location	Richardson, Texas	Edinburg, Texas
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	72.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	87.2%	93.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	$50
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	18,838	14,386
Total number of admissions given out	16,429	13,508
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,042	5,439
Yield rate	24.6%	40.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,526 Out of state: $57,738	In state: $23,563 Out of state: $33,355
Average net price	$12,924	$6,244
Tuition	In state: $14,564 Out of state: $39,776	In state: $7,857 Out of state: $17,649
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,970 Meal plan: $4,172	Room/dormitory: $4,240 Meal plan: $3,368
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	66.0% Average amount $15,140	98.0% Average amount $8,702
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $5,079	19.0% Average amount $3,752
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $15,398	0.0% Average amount $0

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,446 Men 56.6% Women 43.4%	26,405 Men 40.7% Women 59.3%
Graduate students	8,250 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%	5,535 Men 35.4% Women 64.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Very Low
Out-of-state students	6.0%	N/A
International students	16.5%	2.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	5,543	1,049
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Texas California Illinois North Carolina Louisiana	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Computer and Information Science Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Health Professions	Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	26:1	20:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	71.7%	51.1%
Dropout rate	10.7%	23.2%
Transferred out	15.6%	17.1%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,371 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $106,143 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,193 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $103,360 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,385 Year 2: $94,674 Year 3: $103,273 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,107 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $94,531 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,113 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $84,024 Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,036 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $83,026 Marketing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,533 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $79,085 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,146 Year 2: $69,098 Year 3: $78,335 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,488 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $77,437 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,095 Year 2: $62,863 Year 3: $75,842	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,380 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $116,099 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,041 Year 2: $109,235 Year 3: $108,882 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,185 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $70,393 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,833 Year 2: $61,334 Year 3: $66,863 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,430 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $63,962 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,464 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $62,120 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,567 Year 2: $52,464 Year 3: $60,844 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,240 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $60,219 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $60,013 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,391 Year 2: $55,151 Year 3: $59,030

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley?

UT Dallas (UTD) is a research-intensive university located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, known for its strong programs in STEM, business, and arts & technology. UT Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a younger institution serving the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas, with a focus on providing access to higher education and addressing the unique needs of its community. UTD generally has a higher admission selectivity and a larger research footprint, while UTRGV emphasizes community engagement and offers a more affordable tuition.
Which university is more selective in its admissions process?

UT Dallas is generally more selective than UT Rio Grande Valley. UTD typically requires higher SAT/ACT scores and a stronger academic record for admission. UTRGV, as part of its mission to expand access to education, has a more open admissions policy, though certain programs may still have competitive requirements.
How do the academic programs at UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley compare?

UTD excels in STEM fields like engineering, computer science, and physics, as well as business and emerging media. UTRGV offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with particular strengths in health sciences, education, and bilingual education. While both offer similar programs, UTD tends to have more specialized and research-oriented options, especially at the graduate level.
What is the cost of attendance at UT Dallas versus UT Rio Grande Valley?

UT Rio Grande Valley generally has a lower cost of attendance than UT Dallas, particularly for tuition and fees. This makes UTRGV a more affordable option for many students. However, the overall cost can vary depending on factors like residency status, chosen program, and living expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date cost information.
Where are UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley located?

UT Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, offering access to a large metropolitan area with numerous job opportunities and cultural attractions. UT Rio Grande Valley has multiple campuses and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas, including Edinburg, Brownsville, and McAllen. This provides students with the opportunity to study closer to home and engage with the local community.
What is campus life like at UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley?

UTD offers a vibrant campus life with a growing number of student organizations, research opportunities, and on-campus housing options. Its location in the Dallas area provides access to a wide range of entertainment and cultural events. UTRGV emphasizes community engagement and offers a close-knit campus environment. Students at UTRGV often participate in activities that serve the Rio Grande Valley community and celebrate its unique culture.
Which university is better for research opportunities?

UT Dallas is generally considered to have a stronger research focus than UT Rio Grande Valley. UTD is classified as a Tier One research university and has a larger research budget, more research centers, and more opportunities for students to get involved in cutting-edge research projects. While UTRGV is growing its research capabilities, UTD currently offers a more extensive research environment.
How do the career services at UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley compare?

Both UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley offer career services to help students find internships and jobs. UTD's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex provides access to a large job market, and its career services department has strong relationships with local employers. UTRGV's career services focus on connecting students with opportunities in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, with a particular emphasis on serving the needs of the local economy.
What are the student demographics like at UT Dallas and UT Rio Grande Valley?

UTD has a diverse student body with a significant international student population. UTRGV primarily serves students from the Rio Grande Valley region, with a large Hispanic student population. Both universities are committed to diversity and inclusion, but their student demographics reflect their different geographic locations and missions.
Which university is better for students interested in a specific field, like engineering or health sciences?

For engineering, UT Dallas is generally considered to be a stronger choice due to its established programs, research facilities, and connections to the Dallas-Fort Worth tech industry. For health sciences, both universities offer strong programs, but UTRGV has a particular focus on addressing the healthcare needs of the Rio Grande Valley community. The best choice depends on your specific interests and career goals within these fields.

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