Update: May 3, 2012: UT System Regents Approve UTEP Tuition and Fees Increase

The Plan

On December 15, 2011, The University of Texas at El Paso will submit a plan to the University of Texas System Board Of Regents to reduce undergraduate students’ time to degree and improve four-year graduation rates. This plan will adhere to UTEP’s core institutional values of providing access and opportunity to the people of the El Paso region and the State of Texas. Coupled with access is a commitment to excellence reflected in rigorous programs, which prepare students to make significant contributions to their professions, their communities and the world.

UTEP’s plan to reduce time to degree and improve four-year graduation rates will focus on three areas: expanded course offerings, investment in programs that have proven to be effective, and creation of a $250 incentive award for students who complete 36-credit hours during an academic year.

Expand Course Offerings:  As UTEP continues to grow, additional courses are required to meet students’ enrollment needs. Online courses and courses offered during the summer semesters are especially critical as students work to complete their degree in a timely manner. Additional resources will be used to hire and retain quality faculty, optimize utilization of new campus facilities and increase the number of courses available for students during the academic year. 

Invest in Effective Programs:  UTEP has a long history of providing innovative programs and strategies that support students during their time at the University. The Entering Students Program is nationally recognized as a model of excellence. Expansion of advising and the centralization of enrollment services have provided students with greater support and convenience. Campus life and engagement programs have grown to better meet the needs of UTEP’s student population. As a result of these and other efforts, UTEP was recently recognized as an Engaged Campus by the Carnegie Foundation. Student engagement, innovative support services and strong academic advising have been UTEP priorities and continuing investment in these activities is important.

Provide Student Incentive Award:  New to the UTEP campus, undergraduate students will receive a $250 incentive award if they complete 36 credit hours in good standing during an academic year. Starting in fall 2013, the award will be provided as a credit to a student’s tuition bill for the semester immediately following the completion of 36-hours in a year.  For example, if a student takes 15 hours in the fall semester, 15 hours in the spring semester and 6 hours in the summer semester and completes all of the courses in good standing, then he or she will receive a $250 credit to the tuition bill the following semester. Students can mix and match the number of hours they enroll during any given semester as long as the total in one year is 36 completed hours.

The plan proposes a 2.6 percent tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students and a 3.6 percent increase for out-of-state undergraduate and all graduate students. For an in-state undergraduate student taking 15 credit hours in a semester, the increase would amount to an additional $90.05 per semester.

Members of the campus community continue to work on the specific elements of this plan. Please email your ideas and recommendations to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .