Head-to-head · 2026
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Wharton County Junior College
Compare average net price ($4,831 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; $4,666 at Wharton County Junior College), ROI score (25.68 vs 24.09), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,620 vs $44,960), and admissions context (94.2% at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Open / not reported at Wharton County Junior College) 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 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Wharton County Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 25.68 ✓ | 24.09 |
| Avg net price | $4,831 | $4,666 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $19,324 | $18,664 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,987 | $3,192 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,827 | $5,904 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,620 ✓ | $44,960 |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% ✓ | 27.3% |
| Retention rate | 81.1% ✓ | 71.4% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $7,703 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 28,666 | 4,585 |
| 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 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Wharton County Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,785 | $1,779 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,877 | $2,267 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,665 | $5,236 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,972 ✓ | $9,365 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,782 | $10,787 ✓ |
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 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Wharton County Junior College |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.6% | 12.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 8.9% | 1.5% |
| Biology, General | 8.6% | 0.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.5% | 5.6% |
| Psychology, General | 6.8% | 1.3% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 0% | 7.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 5% | 0.3% |
| Computer Science | 1.9% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Wharton County Junior College reports the lower average net price by $165 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $660 difference over four years ($18,664 vs $19,324).
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley reports $4,660 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,620 vs $44,960). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 81.1% at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and 71.4% at Wharton County Junior College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,950 vs $7,703, 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
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Wharton County Junior College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Wharton County Junior College is cheaper — average net price $4,666 per year vs $4,831 at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The annual difference of $165 adds up to about $660 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 $44,960 at Wharton County Junior College. The gap in the federal data is $4,660. 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.