The University of Texas at El Paso vs East Carolina University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
The University of Texas at El Paso and East Carolina University are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas at El Paso scores 61/100 while East Carolina University scores 61/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, The University of Texas at El Paso comes in at $9,403 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,739 at East Carolina University - a difference of $6,336 annually, or roughly $25,344 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, East Carolina University graduates earn a median of $55,146 compared to $50,923 at The University of Texas at El Paso. The payback period is 11.2 years at The University of Texas at El Paso versus 10.1 years at East Carolina University.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at El Paso with a median $18,000 in debt versus $22,750 at East Carolina University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.51 and 0.61 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | East Carolina University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,744 | $7,361 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $25,502 | $23,638 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,403 | $15,739 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $37,612 | $62,956 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $35,300 | $37,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $50,923 | $55,146 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.2% | 62.6% |
| Payback Period | 11.2 yr | 10.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $22,750 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $241 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.51 | 0.61 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 63.0% | 72.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 54.3% | 68.6% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.9% | 89.2% |
| Enrollment | 21,005 | 19,896 |
| SAT Range | 860-1080 | 1070-1240 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | East Carolina Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,863 | $10,046 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,136 | $11,699 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,120 | $14,904 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,093 | $20,417 |
| $110,001+ | $18,282 | $23,028 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | East Carolina Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $103,286 | $90,197 |
| Registered Nursing | $89,077 | $82,250 |
| Accounting | $57,389 | $79,351 |
| Management Information Systems | $62,136 | $79,238 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $59,668 | $78,324 |
| Marketing | $49,068 | $73,626 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $66,491 | $60,441 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,506 | $64,723 |
| Biology | $49,396 | $64,205 |
| International Relations | $54,069 | $60,419 |
| Music | $60,172 | $39,029 |
| Public Health | $44,665 | $59,566 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $58,451 | $59,432 |
| Mathematics | $57,392 | $40,888 |
| Social Work | $53,995 | $54,666 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | East Carolina Univer... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 84 | 71 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 55 | 61 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 72 | 49 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 39 | 64 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 22 | 48 |
| Overall ROI Score | 61 | 61 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas at El Paso edges out East Carolina University by 0 points (61 vs 61), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
The University of Texas at El Paso
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
East Carolina University
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.