UTEP vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

Compare The University of Texas at El Paso in El Paso, TX with The University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is larger than UTEP based on total student enrollment (35,770 students vs. 25,039 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• The University of Texas at El Paso is located in El Paso, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• The University of Texas at El Paso is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: The University of Texas at El Paso 21:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

UTEP vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UTEP or UTSA? 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 at El Paso than UTSA ($9,305 vs. $10,959).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at El Paso are 27.1% lower than at The University of Texas at San Antonio ($10,864 vs. $14,912).
• The University of Texas at El Paso is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTSA (about $733 more per year; $9,744.00 vs. $9,011.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at UTEP than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (about $3,451 more per year; $25,502.00 vs. $22,051.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at El Paso than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (82% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students is 7.2% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at El Paso students ($11,332 vs. $10,571).

UTEP vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UTEP or UTSA? 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 UTSA and UTEP.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (1110) is 140 points higher than at UTEP (970).
• Incoming UTSA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at UTEP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at El Paso 860/1080; The University of Texas at San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas at El Paso 17/22; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UTEP - Test optional; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UTEP May 1, 2027; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UTSA students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at UTEP (3.3).
• UTEP has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than UTSA (86.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.5% at UTEP vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

UTEP vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UTEP and UTSA? 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).

• The University of Texas at El Paso's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than The University of Texas at San Antonio's (27%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at San Antonio earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than UTEP graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $42,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas at El Paso graduates have a $5,733 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($17,250 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, UTEP graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($178 vs. $237).
• More UTSA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTEP students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 45%)

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.