University of North Texas (UNT) vs The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)

When it comes to higher education in Texas, University of North Texas (UNT) and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) stand out as two distinct and compelling options. UNT, located in Denton, boasts a higher acceptance rate of 84% compared to UTRGV's 78%, making it a more accessible choice for prospective students. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with UNT excelling in fields like business, education, and music, while UTRGV shines in areas such as engineering, nursing, and health professions. While UNT's student body is more racially and ethnically diverse, UTRGV has a higher percentage of Hispanic students. As for graduation rates, UNT holds a slight edge with a 59% four-year graduation rate compared to UTRGV's 56%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table below, highlighting key differences between these two esteemed institutions.

	The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	University of North Texas
Overview
Location	Edinburg, Texas	Denton, Texas
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	72.0%	79.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	93.9%	81.4%
Application fees	$50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $75
SAT range	N/A	1010 - 1240
ACT range	N/A	19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score		45.0%
Students submitting ACT score		15.0%
Total number of applicants	14,386	24,858
Total number of admissions given out	13,508	20,240
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,439	5,563
Yield rate	40.3%	27.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,563 Out of state: $33,355	In state: $26,456 Out of state: $36,272
Average net price	$6,244	$11,915
Tuition	In state: $7,857 Out of state: $17,649	In state: $8,295 Out of state: $18,111
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,240 Meal plan: $3,368	$10,026
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	98.0% Average amount $8,702	56.0% Average amount $10,637
Students receiving federal student loan	19.0% Average amount $3,752	34.0% Average amount $4,551
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	2.0% Average amount $13,919

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	26,405 Men 40.7% Women 59.3%	32,590 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%
Graduate students	5,535 Men 35.4% Women 64.6%	9,851 Men 42.8% Women 57.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	4.6%
International students	2.5%	10.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	1,049	6,349
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Texas Oklahoma California Illinois Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Multidisciplinary Studies Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Education	Business Multidisciplinary Studies Communication and Journalism Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	25:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	51.1%	60.2%
Dropout rate	23.2%	15.9%
Transferred out	17.1%	20.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,380 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $116,099 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,041 Year 2: $109,235 Year 3: $108,882 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,185 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $70,393 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,833 Year 2: $61,334 Year 3: $66,863 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,430 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $63,962 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,464 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $62,120 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,567 Year 2: $52,464 Year 3: $60,844 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,240 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $60,219 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $60,013 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,391 Year 2: $55,151 Year 3: $59,030	Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,762 Year 3: $85,494 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,395 Year 2: $77,401 Year 3: $85,490 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,290 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $82,826 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,305 Year 2: $68,219 Year 3: $75,208 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,613 Year 2: $62,260 Year 3: $75,110 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,753 Year 2: $61,814 Year 3: $72,859 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $55,771 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $70,033 Insurance (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,961 Year 2: $60,230 Year 3: $69,306 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,726 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $67,870 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $60,194 Year 2: $60,452 Year 3: $67,787

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of North Texas (UNT) and The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV)?

UNT, located in Denton, is a large, comprehensive research university with a broad range of programs and a strong focus on arts, music, and sciences. UTRGV, with multiple campuses across the Rio Grande Valley, is a younger institution with a mission centered on serving the South Texas region, with particular strengths in health sciences, bilingual education, and border studies. UNT has a more established history and a larger student body, while UTRGV offers a more personalized experience and a strong connection to its local community.
Which university is larger, UNT or UTRGV?

UNT is significantly larger than UTRGV. UNT typically has a total enrollment exceeding 40,000 students, while UTRGV's enrollment is generally around 30,000. This difference in size impacts class sizes, campus atmosphere, and the availability of resources.
Where are UNT and UTRGV located?

UNT is located in Denton, Texas, a city north of Dallas. UTRGV has multiple campuses and teaching sites throughout the Rio Grande Valley, including Edinburg, Brownsville, McAllen, and Harlingen. This means UNT offers a more traditional college town experience, while UTRGV provides access to education within the diverse communities of South Texas.
What are the academic strengths of UNT?

UNT is known for its strong programs in music, arts, education, business, and information technology. It has a nationally recognized College of Music and a growing reputation in fields like logistics and supply chain management. UNT is also a Tier One research university, offering numerous research opportunities for students.
What are the academic strengths of UTRGV?

UTRGV excels in health sciences, particularly in areas related to border health and healthcare disparities. It also has strong programs in bilingual education, engineering, and business. UTRGV's focus is on addressing the unique needs and opportunities of the Rio Grande Valley region.
How do the costs of attending UNT and UTRGV compare?

Generally, UTRGV tends to have a lower tuition and cost of living compared to UNT. However, the actual cost will depend on factors like residency status, chosen program, and lifestyle. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules and to consider the cost of living in Denton versus the Rio Grande Valley.
What kind of student life can I expect at UNT?

UNT offers a vibrant student life with a wide range of clubs, organizations, and activities. As a larger university, there are numerous opportunities for involvement in Greek life, sports, student government, and various academic and social groups. Denton also provides a lively music scene and a variety of entertainment options.
What kind of student life can I expect at UTRGV?

UTRGV offers a more community-focused student life, with a strong emphasis on serving the local region. While it may not have the same breadth of activities as UNT due to its size and distributed campuses, UTRGV provides opportunities for students to get involved in campus organizations, community service projects, and cultural events that reflect the unique heritage of the Rio Grande Valley.
What are the admission requirements for UNT and UTRGV?

Admission requirements vary depending on the program and the applicant's academic background. Generally, both universities require a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (SAT/ACT), and a strong academic record. However, UTRGV may have slightly less stringent admission requirements compared to UNT. Check each university's admissions website for specific requirements and deadlines.
Which university is better for research opportunities?

UNT, as a Tier One research university, generally offers a wider range of research opportunities across various disciplines. However, UTRGV is growing its research capacity, particularly in areas related to health, engineering, and border studies. Students interested in research should explore the specific research programs and faculty expertise at both universities to determine the best fit.
Does UNT or UTRGV have a stronger focus on serving first-generation college students?

While both universities serve a significant number of first-generation college students, UTRGV has a particularly strong commitment to supporting this population. Its mission is deeply rooted in providing access to higher education for students from underserved communities in the Rio Grande Valley. UNT also has programs and resources to support first-generation students, but UTRGV's focus is more central to its institutional identity.
How do the athletic programs at UNT and UTRGV compare?

UNT competes in NCAA Division I as the Mean Green, with a full range of sports programs. UTRGV competes in NCAA Division I as the Vaqueros, with a smaller selection of sports. UNT has a more established athletic program with a longer history and greater resources. If athletics are a major factor in your college decision, consider the specific sports you're interested in and the level of competition at each university.

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