About
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is a public research university located in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. It was founded in 2013 as a merger of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. UTRGV offers varied programs, including business, education, engineering, health sciences, and the arts.
What is the acceptance rate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has an enrollment of 29,000+ students, an acceptance rate of 88%, and a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1.
UTRGV is a Hispanic-serving institution, and over 80% of its students are Hispanic. The university is committed to providing access to higher education for all students, regardless of their background. UTRGV offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students afford their education.
What is the Annual Tuition fee at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The average annual tuition and other fees for international undergraduate students at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is approximately $37,077 and for international graduates, it is nearly $33,428.
UTRGV is a vibrant and diverse university with a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is #299 among National Universities.
Top Reasons to Study in the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Diversity: UTRGV is a diverse university, with students from 100+ countries and over 50 states, creating a rich learning environment where students can learn and interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
- Excellent Academics: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers ranging undergraduate and graduate programs, many of which are ranked among the best in the nation. The university also has a strong research reputation, with over $100 million in research funding awarded each year.
- Experiential Learning. UTRGV offers internships, research, and service learning opportunities, allowing students to develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers.
- Strong Sense of Community: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a close-knit community where students, faculty, and staff feel like they belong. The university offers many opportunities for students to get involved in clubs, organizations, and activities.
- Beautiful Location: UTRGV campuses are located in Edinburg, Brownsville, and Harlingen, which have rich cultural heritage and are all within a short drive of each other.
Admissions
Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)
88%
Application Fee
$100 - $184
How to Apply at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
UNDERGRADUATE
Here are the steps on how to apply to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for undergraduate studies as an international applicant:
- Fill out the UTRGV international application online.
- Pay a $50 non-refundable application fee through ApplyTexas.
- Submit Official English Proficiency Exams Scores.
- Submit a Credential Evaluation of your Official Transcripts.
- Submit ACT/SAT scores.
- Wait for a decision.
POSTGRADUATE
Here are the steps on how to apply to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for postgraduate studies as an international applicant:
- Fill out a UTRGV online application.
- Complete a Foreign Credential Evaluation of your Official Transcripts.
- Get a certified English translation of your educational records.
- Submit Official English Proficiency Exam Scores.
- Submit Official Standardized Test Scores
- Additional Attendance University Requirements
- Submit Financial and Immigration Documentation.
MASTER'S AND PhD
Here are the steps on how to apply to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) for a master's or PhD as an international applicant:
- Fill out a UTRGV online application
- Complete a Foreign Credential Evaluation of your Official Transcripts.
- Get a certified English translation of your educational records.
- Submit Official English Proficiency Exam Scores.
- Submit Official Standardized Test Scores
- Additional Attendance University Requirements
- Submit Financial and Immigration Documentation.
Documents Required to Apply to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
UNDERGRADUATE
Documents needed to apply to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as an international undergraduate applicant include
- Completed Online Application.
- Application Fee.
- Official Transcripts.
- English Proficiency Test Scores.
- SAT/ACT Scores.
POSTGRADUATE
Documents needed to apply to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as an international postgraduate applicant include:
- Completed Online Application.
- Application Fee.
- Official Transcripts.
- English Proficiency Test Scores.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- Personal Statement.
If required:
- GRE/GMAT Scores.
- Research Proposal.
- Writing Samples.
MASTER'S AND PhD
Documents needed to apply to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as an international master's or PhD applicant include:
- Completed Online Application.
- Application Fee.
- Official Transcripts.
- English Proficiency Test Scores.
- Letters of Recommendation.
- Personal Statement.
If required:
- GRE/GMAT Scores.
- Research Proposal.
- Writing Samples.
Exams Accepted By University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) accepts the following English proficiency exam scores from international students:
- TOEFL iBT: 61
- IELTS: 6.0
- DET: 95
Campus Life
Transportation in the city
The Rio Grande Valley region of Texas is a major transportation hub, with varied transportation modes, including:
- Air Travel: The Valley International Airport (VIA) is located in Harlingen, Texas, serving the entire Rio Grande Valley region, the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
- Bus Travel: Greyhound and Tornado Bus Lines offer intercity bus service to and from the Rio Grande Valley. Several local bus lines also operate within the region.
- Train Travel: Amtrak offers passenger train service to the Rio Grande Valley on the Sunset Limited line, running between Los Angeles and New Orleans, with stops in the Rio Grande Valley cities of Brownsville, McAllen, and San Antonio.
- Car Travel: The Rio Grande Valley is served by a network of highways, including Interstate 35, U.S. Highway 83, and State Highway 281. Several toll roads in the region, including the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge and the Anzalduas International Bridge are also there.
Services offered by the university
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers ranging services to its students, including:
- Academic Advising: UTRGV has a team of academic advisors helping students choose the right courses, plan their degree paths, and succeed in their studies.
- Career Counselling: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers services to help students find internships, and jobs, and prepare for their careers.
- Financial Aid: UTRGV offers varied financial aid options to help students pay for their education, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
- Health Services: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a health centre on each campus that provides students with preventive care, sick care, and mental health services.
- Library Services: The UTRGV Library has a collection of over 1 million books, journals, and other resources. The library also offers research assistance, interlibrary loan, and computer access.
- Recreation and Wellness: University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a fitness centre, swimming pool, and tennis courts. The university also offers many classes and programs, such as yoga, Zumba, and tai chi.
Student life at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Extracurricular Activities: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a thriving student life. There are 300+ student organizations on campus, ranging from academic clubs to cultural organizations to sports teams. The university also hosts varied events throughout the year, such as concerts, plays, and sporting events.
- Recreation: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a state-of-the-art recreation centre, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and a soccer field. There are also several parks and trails located near campus.
- Culture: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is home to several cultural organizations, such as the UTRGV Center for the Arts and the UTRGV Border Heritage Center. The university also hosts varied cultural events throughout the year, such as art festivals, concerts, and plays.
On campus accomodation at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers some on-campus accommodations for students, including:
- Residence Halls: UTRGV has three residence halls located on its Edinburg campus: Unity Hall, Heritage Hall, and Troxel Hall. These halls offer several room types, including single, double, and triple occupancy rooms. They also have amenities, such as laundry facilities, study rooms, and recreation areas.
- Apartments: UTRGV also has two apartment complexes located on its Edinburg campus: Casa Bella Apartments and The Village Apartments. These complexes offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. They also offer amenities, such as laundry facilities, study rooms, and fitness centres.
Cost: Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is important to apply early. The cost of housing usually ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per semester.
Faculty
University Faculty:Student Ratio
University Faculty Stats
Some faculty facts about the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV):
- UTRGV has 1,300+ full- and part-time faculty members.
- The faculty is made up of a diverse group of scholars, with over 50% of faculty members being women and over 20% being from underrepresented minority groups.
- UTRGV faculty members have been awarded the Carnegie Professorship of Teaching Excellence, the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching.
- The faculty has published over 10,000 articles in peer-reviewed journals.
- The faculty has received over $100 million in research grants.
Career Opportunities
University Endowments Value
Internship opportunities at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers varied internship and part-time job opportunities for students, allowing them to gain experience in their field, network with professionals, and build their resumes.
Internships: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers internships in business, education, engineering, healthcare, and social sciences. Internships can be part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, and for academic credit or non-credit. To find internship opportunities at UTRGV, you can visit the Career Center website or the Handshake job portal.
Part-Time Jobs: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers varied part-time jobs for students, which are available year-round and can be either on-campus or off-campus. Some of the most common part-time jobs on campus include:
- Student worker in a department office
- Teaching Assistant
- Research Assistant
- Resident Assistant
- Tutor
Placement of University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Placement: According to the Data Outcomes report from the UTRGV Career Center, 83% of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates are employed within six months of graduation. The top industries that hire UTRGV graduates are:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Business
- Government
- Information Technology
Hiring Companies: Some of the top employers for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates include:
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- The City of Brownsville
- The City of McAllen
- The Brownsville Independent School District
- The South Texas Health System
Salaries: The average salary for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates is $50,000 per year. However, the average salary for a software engineer is $70,000 per year, while the average salary for a teacher is $40,000 per year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated August 14, 2026