The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
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 holds a 21-point ROI advantage over Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, scoring 69/100 versus 48/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley comes in at $4,831 per year (net price after aid) versus $15,225 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi - a difference of $10,394 annually, or roughly $41,576 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi graduates earn a median of $51,865 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 11.9 years at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi.
Graduates leave The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a median $12,950 in debt versus $23,000 at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas R... | Texas A & M University-Co... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,987 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,827 | $20,794 |
| Net Price (avg) | $4,831 | $15,225 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $19,324 | $60,900 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $39,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $49,620 | $51,865 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.9% | 40.2% |
| Payback Period | 10.9 yr | 11.9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $12,950 | $23,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $137 | $244 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 61.8% | 66.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 55.6% | 59.8% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.2% | 88.6% |
| Enrollment | 28,666 | 8,034 |
| SAT Range | 880-1090 | 970-1193 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $3,785 | $11,445 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,877 | $11,961 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $5,665 | $14,180 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $7,972 | $19,479 |
| $110,001+ | $13,782 | $23,426 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $88,067 | $83,329 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,991 | $82,322 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $80,857 | $86,698 |
| Electrical Engineering | $85,971 | $71,616 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $50,156 | $66,917 |
| Marketing | $45,859 | $62,017 |
| Accounting | $53,420 | $60,160 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $59,794 | $51,909 |
| Music | $59,218 | $22,833 |
| Management Information Systems | $40,147 | $57,021 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,595 | $56,808 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $56,493 | $52,078 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $53,769 | $50,896 |
| History | $50,620 | $50,387 |
| Biology | $47,954 | $50,181 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | Texas A & M Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 61 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 56 | 50 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 54 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 40 | 22 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 20 | 32 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 48 |
The Verdict
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley significantly outperforms Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi on financial ROI (69 vs 48). The 21-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Fair Value - Full profile and breakdown
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
Below Average 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.