Message from the President: 10th Anniversary as President of UTRGV
Dear UTRGV Community,
Today marks my 10th anniversary as president of UTRGV, and there is only one proper way to celebrate: by saying thank you!
I had been at the helm of several other schools when I arrived in the Rio Grande Valley, but this job was different. Thankfully, I started with a strong foundation established by a pair of respected legacy institutions, which mirrored the communities they anchored and embodied the spirit and resilience of the Valley.
I was also fortunate to be surrounded by passionate students, dedicated faculty, supportive staff, and engaged community partners who have walked this journey with me. Together, we have built on the legacy of our predecessors, striving to fulfill the promise of UTRGV.
While I won’t recount everything that’s happened in the past 10 years, I do want to highlight some key moments that help contextualize the incredible progress we’ve made since 2014. These achievements are a testament to our collective effort and the unwavering support of all who believe in our mission.
Building a New Legacy
As I stated, we are building UTRGV on the foundation of our two legacy institutions: The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB) and The University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA). Each university played a critical role in educating previous generations, and each has been essential to our success. However, what we have today here at UTRGV is greater than the sum of those parts, and the following data proves that:
- 31,931 students enrolled at UTRGV during the 2023-2024 academic year, which is 10% more than the last combined enrollment of UTB and UTPA.
- Retention and graduation rates have also dramatically improved, and we now rank #3 in the UT System for first-year retention rate (79%) behind UT Austin and UT Dallas.
- UTRGV students are graduating almost 1 year faster than the average student who attended UTB or UTPA, saving themselves time and money.
- Exponential growth in Annual External Fundraising (nearly 500%) and Annual Research Expenditures (>600%), compared to UTB and UTPA combined annual rates.
- Added 8 Doctoral/Professional Programs, with 3 more projected by 2024-2025, for a total of 16 programs (and counting).
These figures are more than bragging points, and their impact is being felt near and far thanks to your dedicated efforts.
Learn More About UTRGV's Progress
Best Value in Texas
In the recently published UT System SmartBook, UTRGV was once again ranked #1 in the system for Lowest Average Net Academic Cost Per Year ($954) for full-time resident undergraduate students. What makes this statistic more impressive is that it’s less than a third of the second ranked institution’s net cost ($3,088; UT El Paso) for this critical population.
You might be thinking, where does UTRGV rank for cost among the state’s other public schools? We’re still #1. According to data from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and the Institutional Annual Financial Reports (AFRs) of Texas public universities, UTRGV boasts the lowest average total academic costs per year ($1,122.59) and per degree ($5,276.65) in the state. And while the average cost of a UTRGV degree is significantly lower than every other public four-year institution in Texas, 9 out of 10 full-time undergraduate Vaqueros earn a degree without paying a single penny for their education.
Learn More About UTRGV's Affordability
Download PDF of UT System Rankings
UTRGV = ROI
We have developed a reputation for offering one of the best returns on investment (ROI) in higher education. Sure, our affordability plays a big role, but the real driving force is the success of our students and the power of their degrees. According to our latest survey data, UTRGV alums, on average, are earning almost 10-times more per year than what they paid for their undergraduate degrees, five years after graduating. Ten years after graduating with a bachelor’s, UTRGV alums are earning almost 12-times more than what their education cost. These remarkable outcomes affirm UTRGV’s status as the #1 Public University in Texas for ROI and one of the best value schools in the country.
Learn More About UTRGV's ROI Ranking
Thank You
Over time, I’ve learned that you won’t last long or achieve much without having great people by your side. Once again, thank you for welcoming me, trusting me, and believing in our vision. Our culture of family, hard work, and gratitude guides everything we do, and has made everything we’ve accomplished possible. I am honored to serve each of you and proud to be part of this wonderful community.
While our journey is far from over, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. The best of UTRGV awaits us, and I am eager to continue working on what we’ve started. I invite you to download this PDF to learn more about our progress and current value-based rankings.
Again, thank you for supporting me and the University these past 10 years. The future of Texas is brighter because of you.
Sincerely,
Guy Bailey
President