Head-to-head · 2026
Dallas College vs The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Compare average net price ($3,214 at Dallas College; $4,831 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), ROI score (32.45 vs 25.68), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,714 vs $49,620), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Dallas College; 94.2% at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Dallas College | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 32.45 ✓ | 25.68 |
| Avg net price | $3,214 ✓ | $4,831 |
| 4-year avg net price | $12,856 ✓ | $19,324 |
| In-state tuition | $2,730 | $9,987 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,900 | $19,827 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,714 | $49,620 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 94.2% |
| Graduation rate | 32.3% | 50.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 66.7% | 81.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,500 ✓ | $12,950 |
| Enrollment | 43,869 | 28,666 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 985 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Dallas College | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,120 ✓ | $3,785 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,530 ✓ | $3,877 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,023 ✓ | $5,665 |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,185 ✓ | $7,972 |
| Family income $110k+ | $9,504 ✓ | $13,782 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Dallas College | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.9% | 6.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.5% | 8.9% |
| Biology, General | 0% | 8.6% |
| Psychology, General | 0.1% | 6.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 3.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3% | 2.7% |
| Social Work | 0.4% | 4.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.7% | 1.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Dallas College reports the lower average net price by $1,617 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,468 difference over four years ($12,856 vs $19,324).
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports $7,906 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,620 vs $41,714). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 66.7% at Dallas College and 81.1% at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Median federal debt among completers is $9,500 vs $12,950, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Dallas College vs The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Dallas College is cheaper — average net price $3,214 per year vs $4,831 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The annual difference of $1,617 adds up to about $6,468 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,620 vs $41,714 at Dallas College. The gap in the federal data is $7,906. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.