HSU vs. UT-Pan American

Comparable Facts

Compare Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, TX with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is larger than HSU based on total student enrollment (33,881 students vs. 1,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Hardin Simmons University is located in Abilene, TX (Midsize City setting); The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is in Edinburg, TX (Small City setting).
• Hardin Simmons University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Hardin Simmons University 15:1; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 20:1.

HSU vs. UT-Pan American Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HSU or UT-Pan American? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley than HSU ($5,282 vs. $19,811).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are 15.4% lower than at Hardin Simmons University ($9,728 vs. $11,500).
• Hardin Simmons University is 230% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT-Pan American (about $22,973 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $9,987.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.2% higher at HSU than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (about $13,133 more per year; $32,960.00 vs. $19,827.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hardin Simmons University than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hardin Simmons University students is 123.7% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students ($26,095 vs. $11,663).

HSU vs. UT-Pan American Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HSU or UT-Pan American? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UT-Pan American and HSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hardin Simmons University (1100) is 110 points higher than at UT-Pan American (990).
• Incoming HSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at UT-Pan American).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hardin Simmons University 1010/1190; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Hardin Simmons University 19/26; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: HSU - Test optional; UT-Pan American - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT-Pan American Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman HSU students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at UT-Pan American (3.16).
• UT-Pan American has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than HSU (90%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.2% at HSU vs. 40.5% at UT-Pan American.

HSU vs. UT-Pan American Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HSU and UT-Pan American? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Hardin Simmons University's six-year graduation rate (47%) is higher than The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's (42%).
• Graduates from Hardin Simmons University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than UT-Pan American graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,600 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have a $15,450 lower median loan debt than HSU graduates ($10,539 vs. $25,989).
• Among borrowers, UT-Pan American graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HSU graduates ($108 vs. $268).
• More HSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT-Pan American students, three years after graduation. (67% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.