UT-Pan American vs. Nelson University

Comparable Facts

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

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is larger than Nelson University based on total student enrollment (33,881 students vs. 1,794 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UT-Pan American vs. Nelson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UT-Pan American or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University ($5,282 vs. $22,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Nelson University are 1.3% lower than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ($9,598 vs. $9,728).
• Nelson University is 151% more expensive for in-state tuition than UT-Pan American (about $15,077 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $9,987.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at Nelson University than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (about $5,237 more per year; $25,064.00 vs. $19,827.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Nelson University than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (96% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Nelson University students is 3.5% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students ($12,075 vs. $11,663).

UT-Pan American vs. Nelson University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UT-Pan American or Nelson University? 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 Nelson University and UT-Pan American.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (990) is the same as at Nelson University (990).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 880/1090; Nelson University 890/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UT-Pan American - Test optional; Nelson University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT-Pan American Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nelson University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.19) than students at UT-Pan American (3.16).
• UT-Pan American has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Nelson University (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.5% at UT-Pan American vs. 56.8% at Nelson University.

UT-Pan American vs. Nelson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UT-Pan American and Nelson University? 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 Rio Grande Valley's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Nelson University's (37%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Nelson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,900 vs. $36,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have a $15,711 lower median loan debt than Nelson University graduates ($10,539 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, UT-Pan American graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nelson University graduates ($108 vs. $271).
• More UT-Pan American graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nelson University students, three years after graduation. (51% vs. 50%)

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.