Texas rio grande valley vs Virginia — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Virginia is the more selective of the two (16.8% vs 94.2% acceptance). Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $50K). Texas rio grande valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($19,827 vs $59,512 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 Texas rio grande valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Virginia for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Virginia is more selective (16.8% vs 94.2% acceptance); Virginia has a higher median SAT (1480 vs 985).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $50K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 50.9%).
Texas rio grande valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($19,827 vs $59,512); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas rio grande valley | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | 16.8% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1480 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 58,951 |
| International students | 3% | 12% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $87K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $79K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $19,827 | $59,512 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,242 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 72% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $14,589 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | — | $75 |
| Enrollment | 31,864 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas rio grande valley or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Virginia. Texas rio grande valley accepts 94.2% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.8%.
Do Texas rio grande valley or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Texas rio grande valley vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $19,827 per year at Texas rio grande valley and $59,512 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Texas rio grande valley or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 985 at Texas rio grande valley and 1480 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Texas rio grande valley or Virginia?
Virginia ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Texas rio grande valley vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid — Texas rio grande valley or Virginia?
The average aid package is $11,242 at Texas rio grande valley and $37,123 at Virginia.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern