Head-to-head · 2026
Texas Southmost College vs The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Compare average net price ($3,085 at Texas Southmost College; $4,831 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley), ROI score (33.95 vs 25.68), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,900 vs $49,620), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Texas Southmost 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 | Texas Southmost College | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 33.95 ✓ | 25.68 |
| Avg net price | $3,085 ✓ | $4,831 |
| 4-year avg net price | $12,340 ✓ | $19,324 |
| In-state tuition | $3,148 | $9,987 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,948 | $19,827 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,900 | $49,620 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 94.2% |
| Graduation rate | 29.8% | 50.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 67.8% | 81.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,000 ✓ | $12,950 |
| Enrollment | 3,372 | 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 | Texas Southmost College | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,696 ✓ | $3,785 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,295 ✓ | $3,877 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,051 | $5,665 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,002 | $7,972 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,999 ✓ | $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 | Texas Southmost College | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 13.9% | 8.9% |
| Social Work | 4.4% | 4.6% |
| Psychology, General | 0.6% | 6.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.8% | 0.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.7% | 3.5% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 4.7% | 0% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.2% | 1.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.6% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Texas Southmost College reports the lower average net price by $1,746 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,984 difference over four years ($12,340 vs $19,324).
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports $7,720 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,620 vs $41,900). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 67.8% at Texas Southmost College and 81.1% at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Median federal debt among completers is $9,000 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
Texas Southmost 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?
Texas Southmost College is cheaper — average net price $3,085 per year vs $4,831 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The annual difference of $1,746 adds up to about $6,984 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 $41,900 at Texas Southmost College. The gap in the federal data is $7,720. 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.