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The University of Texas at El Paso

#233 in US ranking El Paso, TX
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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The University of Texas at El Paso award
The University of Texas at El Paso award

Cost

Cost / year
$17,245
Tuition & fees
$9,332
Avg. aid
$8,827
Receiving aid
88%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
100%
SAT range
860–1080
ACT range
17–22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
50%
Median salary
$44,108
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of The University of Texas at El Paso?

UTEP is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole, not as an individual endorsement of every major.

Some professional programs also have specialized accreditation relevant to their fields. For example, applicants to engineering, business, nursing, or pharmacy should check the accreditation status of the exact degree and, where relevant, the requirements of the state in which they hope to practice. Institutional accreditation is important for eligibility for federal student aid, while credit transfer and professional licensing remain subject to decisions by receiving institutions and licensing authorities.

What are the admission requirements at The University of Texas at El Paso?

First-year applicants generally apply to UTEP with a secondary-school record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent. The university considers academic records, including coursework and grades; applicants educated outside the United States may also need to document English-language proficiency.

SAT and ACT scores are not generally required for first-year admission, though scores may be considered when submitted or needed for a particular purpose. Recommendations are not a general admission requirement. Applicants should distinguish admission to the university from entry into a major that has prerequisites, a separate application, or limited capacity.

UTEP's reported first-year admission figures show 11,986 admits among 11,996 applicants, a rate that rounds to 100%. That is not an open-admission policy or a promise of admission for any individual. Before applying, check the current application route, term deadline, transcript instructions, and any requirements specific to your applicant category or program.

What are the application fees and waivers at The University of Texas at El Paso?

UTEP charges an application fee for undergraduate admission, with the amount and waiver process depending on the applicant category and application route. Applicants should confirm the charge displayed in the current application before submitting it; an application fee is separate from tuition, orientation charges, and any housing payment.

Students who cannot afford the fee should review UTEP's current fee-waiver instructions before paying or submitting a nonrefundable application. Eligibility and documentation can differ for domestic first-year, transfer, and international applicants, and a waiver should not be assumed simply because a student qualifies for financial aid.

What types of ROTC programs are available at The University of Texas at El Paso?

UTEP students can pursue Army ROTC through a unit on campus. Air Force ROTC participation is available through a cooperating institution rather than a UTEP-hosted Air Force unit.

ROTC combines college coursework and leadership training with a possible route to military commissioning. Participation, scholarship eligibility, and a later service obligation are related but distinct questions: students should review the applicable branch's rules before accepting an award or contracting. Air Force applicants should also confirm the current cross-enrollment arrangement and travel requirements with the participating detachment.

What are the requirements for transfer students at The University of Texas at El Paso?

UTEP accepts transfer applicants and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer admission and the application of credits toward a particular UTEP degree are separate decisions.

Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and check whether their number of completed college credits means UTEP also needs a high school record. A student close to a transfer-credit or GPA threshold should use the current admission rules rather than assume that all prior coursework will count toward eligibility. UTEP admits transfer students for fall, spring, and summer terms, subject to applicable deadlines and program restrictions.

After admission, an official evaluation determines which courses transfer and how they apply; a course accepted as elective credit may not meet a major requirement. Students planning a move from a Texas community college can compare degree plans and transfer-equivalency guidance before enrolling in more courses. UTEP also recognizes some examination and other assessed credit, including CLEP and DSST, but awards and degree applicability depend on its current policies.

What types of study abroad programs are available at The University of Texas at El Paso?

UTEP offers international education opportunities that can include semester-length and shorter study-abroad experiences. The available destinations and formats can change from year to year, and an approved partner program is not the same as a course operated directly by UTEP.

Students should obtain academic approval before committing to a program, particularly if they need overseas courses to satisfy a major, language requirement, or graduation timeline. They should also ask how tuition, travel costs, scholarships, and existing financial aid would apply. Passport and visa timelines can make early planning especially important for programs abroad.

The University of Texas at El Paso Admissions Factors

SAT range
860–1080
4001600
ACT range
17–22
136
Acceptance rate
100%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
100%
Texas
84%
US
78%

34% of admitted students enrolled (4,019 of 11,986)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 6-11
ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

The University of Texas at El Paso Admissions

Applicants
Total: 11,996
Admission
Total: 11,986
Enrolled
Total: 4,019
Women
Men

How to Apply to The University of Texas at El Paso

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

The University of Texas at El Paso First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 3,737
Out-of-state: 68
International: 217

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 4,022
Transfer: 1,591

The University of Texas at El Paso Admission Requirements

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

2.82%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

1.99%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Required

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institution

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

The University of Texas at El Paso Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.