The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs University of Kentucky
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 University of Kentucky are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley scores 69/100 while University of Kentucky 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 $18,851 at University of Kentucky - a difference of $14,020 annually, or roughly $56,080 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Kentucky graduates earn a median of $59,025 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 9 years at University of Kentucky.
Graduates leave The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a median $12,950 in debt versus $22,500 at University of Kentucky. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.52 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas R... | University of Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,987 | $13,502 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,827 | $34,140 |
| Net Price (avg) | $4,831 | $18,851 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $19,324 | $75,404 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $43,500 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $49,620 | $59,025 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.9% | 71.4% |
| Payback Period | 10.9 yr | 9 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $12,950 | $22,500 |
| Monthly Payment | $137 | $239 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 61.8% | 74.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 55.6% | 68.1% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.2% | 92.9% |
| Enrollment | 28,666 | 24,763 |
| SAT Range | 880-1090 | 1070-1290 |
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 Kentuc... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $3,785 | $12,182 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,877 | $12,119 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $5,665 | $16,313 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $7,972 | $21,192 |
| $110,001+ | $13,782 | $26,781 |
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 Kentuc... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $77,097 | $99,945 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $80,857 | $99,535 |
| Electrical Engineering | $85,971 | $96,913 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,991 | $90,654 |
| Registered Nursing | $88,067 | $81,941 |
| Accounting | $53,420 | $85,777 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $50,156 | $84,087 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $59,794 | $82,533 |
| Civil Engineering | $71,848 | $81,031 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $63,426 | $77,663 |
| Mathematics | $60,645 | $75,222 |
| Chemistry | $57,100 | $73,549 |
| Marketing | $45,859 | $70,776 |
| Economics | $56,369 | $68,532 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $59,624 | $52,815 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Kentuc... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 70 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 56 | 68 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 70 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 40 | 80 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 20 | 54 |
| 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 University of Kentucky 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
University of Kentucky
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.