Cal State LA vs. UT-Pan American

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is larger than Cal State LA based on total student enrollment (33,881 students vs. 23,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is in Edinburg, TX (Small City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 20:1.

Cal State LA vs. UT-Pan American Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or UT-Pan American? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Los Angeles than UT-Pan American ($4,460 vs. $5,282).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are 50.6% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($9,728 vs. $19,696).
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is 39.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $2,827 more per year; $9,987.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at UT-Pan American than at California State University Los Angeles (about $67 more per year; $19,827.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 18.5% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students ($13,824 vs. $11,663).

Cal State LA vs. UT-Pan American Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or UT-Pan American? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UT-Pan American and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (990) is 20 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming UT-Pan American students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; UT-Pan American - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; UT-Pan American Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at UT-Pan American (3.16).
• UT-Pan American has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 40.5% at UT-Pan American.

Cal State LA vs. UT-Pan American Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and UT-Pan American? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than UT-Pan American graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have a $2,381 lower median loan debt than Cal State LA graduates ($10,539 vs. $12,920).
• Among borrowers, UT-Pan American graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State LA graduates ($108 vs. $133).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT-Pan American students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.