The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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 Rio Grande Valley and Colorado State University-Fort Collins are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley scores 69/100 while Colorado State University-Fort Collins scores 69/100 - 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 Rio Grande Valley comes in at $4,831 per year (net price after aid) versus $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins - a difference of $16,448 annually, or roughly $65,792 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Colorado State University-Fort Collins graduates earn a median of $60,543 compared to $49,620 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The payback period is 10.9 years at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley versus 8.8 years at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
Graduates leave The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a median $12,950 in debt versus $20,000 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.50 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas R... | Colorado State University... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,987 | $13,373 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,827 | $34,783 |
| Net Price (avg) | $4,831 | $21,279 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $19,324 | $85,116 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $39,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $49,620 | $60,543 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.9% | 66.5% |
| Payback Period | 10.9 yr | 8.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $12,950 | $20,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $137 | $212 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.50 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 61.8% | 78.7% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 55.6% | 73.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.2% | 88.5% |
| Enrollment | 28,666 | 25,538 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | Colorado State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $3,785 | $13,259 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,877 | $14,460 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $5,665 | $15,905 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $7,972 | $21,927 |
| $110,001+ | $13,782 | $29,763 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | Colorado State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $80,857 | $114,076 |
| Electrical Engineering | $85,971 | $99,172 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,991 | $94,260 |
| Civil Engineering | $71,848 | $88,001 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,595 | $79,256 |
| Chemistry | $57,100 | $71,615 |
| Economics | $56,369 | $69,934 |
| International Relations | $44,895 | $67,873 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,940 | $61,434 |
| Biology | $47,954 | $60,981 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,769 | $60,835 |
| Mathematics | $60,645 | $47,835 |
| Music | $59,218 | $39,414 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,060 | $51,830 |
| Sociology | $57,807 | $57,300 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Colorado State Unive... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 67 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 56 | 69 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 73 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 40 | 71 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 20 | 66 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 69 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley edges out Colorado State University-Fort Collins by 0 points (69 vs 69), 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.
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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
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.