


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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
34% of admitted students enrolled (4,019 of 11,986)
Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoPercent of students submitting ACT scores
2.82%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
1.99%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
RequiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
RequiredOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit at a cooperating host institutionStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData 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.