The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 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
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and University of Nevada-Las Vegas are closely matched on financial return. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley scores 69/100 while University of Nevada-Las Vegas scores 67/100 - 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 $10,359 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas - a difference of $5,528 annually, or roughly $22,112 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Nevada-Las Vegas graduates earn a median of $55,037 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 9.1 years at University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Graduates leave The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a median $12,950 in debt versus $19,450 at University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.38 and 0.49 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | The University of Texas R... | University of Nevada-Las ... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,987 | $9,748 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $19,827 | $27,411 |
| Net Price (avg) | $4,831 | $10,359 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $19,324 | $41,436 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $39,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $49,620 | $55,037 |
| Graduation Rate | 50.9% | 50.5% |
| Payback Period | 10.9 yr | 9.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $12,950 | $19,450 |
| Monthly Payment | $137 | $206 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.38 | 0.49 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 61.8% | 63.9% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 55.6% | 57.2% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 94.2% | 96.2% |
| Enrollment | 28,666 | 24,622 |
| SAT Range | 880-1090 | 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 | $3,785 | $8,526 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,877 | $8,537 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $5,665 | $10,606 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $7,972 | $13,513 |
| $110,001+ | $13,782 | $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 | $85,971 | $100,765 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $87,991 | $97,901 |
| Registered Nursing | $88,067 | $94,600 |
| Computer Engineering | $77,097 | $93,830 |
| Civil Engineering | $71,848 | $90,474 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $50,156 | $76,319 |
| Accounting | $53,420 | $74,490 |
| Economics | $56,369 | $72,119 |
| Mathematics | $60,645 | $70,999 |
| International Business | $47,431 | $63,681 |
| Biology | $47,954 | $62,087 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $49,595 | $61,524 |
| Social Work | $50,073 | $60,344 |
| Social Sciences, General | $59,440 | $55,542 |
| Music | $59,218 | $55,161 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | The University of Te... | University of Nevada... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 89 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 56 | 67 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 89 | 74 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 40 | 40 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 20 | 24 |
| Overall ROI Score | 69 | 67 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley edges out University of Nevada-Las Vegas by 2 points (69 vs 67), 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 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.