The University of Texas Permian Basin

Public · Moderately Selective · TX

Photo: Hicks, William (CC BY 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationTX · South

SettingUrban

Undergrads3,911

Student:faculty19:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate24.8%

6-yr grad rate39.7%

Drop-out rate39.1%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$9k

Out-of-state tuition$22k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity75.1%

Gender diversity61%

International6%

Identity—

Overview

UT Permian Basin is a public university in Odessa, Texas, part of the University of Texas System, serving the oil-and-gas-driven communities of west Texas. It is a commuter-heavy, regionally focused institution shaped directly by its surroundings, with a curriculum tilted toward the industries that dominate the local economy.

Academics

Petroleum engineering and other energy-adjacent programs are the clearest points of distinction, reflecting the Permian Basin's oil industry, alongside business and industrial technology. Teacher education and nursing round out the program mix, serving regional demand for both professions. Class sizes are generally small.

Campus & student life

The campus serves a largely commuter population drawn from Odessa, Midland, and surrounding west Texas towns, with a comparatively quiet, low-key social atmosphere rather than a traditional residential college experience.

Getting in

Admission is accessible rather than competitive, with the university positioned as an affordable, practical option within the UT System for regional students.

Worth knowing

Its identity is tightly bound to the energy economy of the Permian Basin, and its petroleum engineering program benefits from proximity to active oil and gas operations, giving students direct access to the industry they are training for.

utpb.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate94.9%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 910–1130 · ACT 17–23

Test policyoptional

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

AdmissionRolling

Applying