Penn vs Texas Rio Grande Valley - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts most of the applications it receives (94.2%), while Penn turns away the overwhelming majority (5.4%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Penn: 13.3% of students against 1.7% (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Penn awards international students $75,356 on average, Texas Rio Grande Valley awards $6,258.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Penn lists $92,524 against $37,183 (Texas Rio Grande Valley), but after average aid what remains is $21,553 against $25,941.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 94.2% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #801-900). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $71,236 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Penn for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Texas Rio Grande Valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 94.2% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 985).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $50K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $71,236); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 94.2% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 55.4% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 985 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | - |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 12,137 |
| International students | 13.3% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $50K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $29K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $67K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 50.9% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 78.9% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $12,950 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $22,287 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $11,242 |
| % of need met | 100% | 72% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $14,589 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 31,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
It's harder to get into Penn. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2%.
Do Penn or Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
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