With an acceptance rate of 99.9%, UTEP holds the highest rate in the UT System.
This nearly unanimous acceptance rate has sparked discussions among students and on local online platforms like FitFam and UTEP Confess.
Though it may seem unusual to maintain such a high acceptance rate, university officials emphasize that this statistic reflects UTEP’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and access to education.
“At UTEP we want to be judged by who we include, not who we exclude,” said university officials. “UTEP is the only open-access R1 institution in the nation.”
Questions about the sustainability of such a high acceptance rate arise as UTEP announced that more than 25,000 students enrolled this fall semester, including a new record number of freshmen at 3,918.
“UTEP is well-equipped to meet the needs of its current students and is actively planning for future growth,” said university officials. “Last month, the UT System Board of Regents approved UTEP’s 2024 Campus Master Plan, which addresses both the short- and long-term needs of the University, anticipating an enrollment of 30,000 students in the not-too-distant future.”
Despite this commitment, the high acceptance rate can lead to a stigma that questions the quality of education provided. However, UTEP emphasizes that this rate is part of UTEP’s mission which includes “access to excellence” for all students.
“At the end of the day, we believe we will be judged by the success of our graduates,” said university officials. “UTEP is top ranked in Texas for social mobility, how much a college helps lower-income students secure high-paying jobs while minimizing the cost of attendance. UTEP graduates excel in licensing exams across multiple disciplines and are consistently accepted into law, graduate, and medical schools.”
As UTEP continues to evolve and expand, it remains dedicated to ensuring that all students can thrive and succeed in their chosen paths, during and after their time at the university.
Ximena Cordero is a staff reporter and may be reached at [email protected]
