The University of Texas at El Paso vs University of Nevada-Las Vegas
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
University of Nevada-Las Vegas holds a 6-point ROI advantage over The University of Texas at El Paso, scoring 67/100 versus 61/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, The University of Texas at El Paso comes in at $9,403 per year (net price after aid) versus $10,359 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas - a difference of $956 annually, or roughly $3,824 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates earn a median of $55,037 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 9.1 years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Graduates leave The University of Texas at El Paso with a median $18,000 in debt versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.51 and 0.49 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas a... | University of Nevada-Las ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,744 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $25,502 | $27,411 |
| Net Price (avg) | $9,403 | $10,359 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $37,612 | $41,436 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $35,300 | $39,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $50,923 | $55,037 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.2% | 50.5% |
| Payback Period | 11.2 yr | 9.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $18,000 | $19,450 |
| Monthly Payment | $191 | $206 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.51 | 0.49 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 63.0% | 63.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 54.3% | 57.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 99.9% | 96.2% |
| Enrollment | 21,005 | 24,622 |
| SAT Range | 860-1080 | 1010-1240 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $7,863 | $8,526 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $8,136 | $8,537 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $10,120 | $10,606 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $14,093 | $13,513 |
| $110,001+ | $18,282 | $15,905 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering | $94,122 | $100,765 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $88,393 | $97,901 |
| Registered Nursing | $89,077 | $94,600 |
| Civil Engineering | $75,882 | $90,474 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $59,668 | $76,319 |
| Accounting | $57,389 | $74,490 |
| Mathematics | $57,392 | $70,999 |
| International Business | $15,202 | $63,681 |
| Biology | $49,396 | $62,087 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $51,506 | $61,524 |
| Social Work | $53,995 | $60,344 |
| Music | $60,172 | $55,161 |
| Marketing | $49,068 | $58,919 |
| International Relations | $54,069 | $58,855 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $58,451 | $56,944 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 84 | 89 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 55 | 67 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 72 | 74 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 39 | 40 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 22 | 24 |
| Overall ROI Score | 61 | 67 |
The Verdict
University of Nevada-Las Vegas has a meaningfully higher ROI score (67 vs 61). Graduates earn more relative to cost, and the financial return is somewhat stronger. That said, if The University of Texas at El Paso offers a significantly better program in your intended major, it could still be the better financial choice for you specifically.
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The University of Texas at El Paso
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
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.