The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley was established in 2013 through the consolidation of UT Brownsville and UT Pan American, creating one of the largest Hispanic-serving institutions in the nation. In 2015 it opened the UTRGV School of Medicine, the first new medical school in Texas in decades, and it has since been recognized as an emerging research university and a leader in graduating Hispanic students in STEM and health fields. The university is best known for its commitment to access, affordability, and social mobility in a region historically underserved by higher education.
UTRGV spans multiple campuses and instructional sites in Edinburg, Brownsville, Harlingen, and South Padre Island, giving students a distinctly bilingual and bicultural experience rooted in Rio Grande Valley communities. Distinctive strengths include the School of Medicine, engineering, border studies, marine and coastal science, and education. Most students are first-generation, commute or live near campus, and enjoy small class sizes, strong community ties, and the Vaqueros athletics tradition.
| Type | Public Research |
| Location | Edinburg, Texas |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Total students | 33,000 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 22:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 81% |
| Graduation rate | 47% |
| Average starting salary | $45,000 |
| In-state tuition | $9,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,500 |
| Room & board | $10,500 |
| Average financial aid | $11,500 |
| Students receiving aid | 88% |
| SAT range | 950-1130 |
| ACT range | 17-22 |
| Average GPA | 3.4 |
| Regular deadline | May 1 |
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.