The University of Texas Permian Basin: History, Academics, and Rankings

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), established in 1973 in Odessa, Texas, has evolved from an upper-level institution to a comprehensive university offering a wide range of academic programs. This article delves into the university's history, academic offerings, and rankings, providing a comprehensive overview for prospective students and those interested in higher education in Texas.

A Brief History

The University of Texas Permian Basin was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969. The institution opened its doors on September 4, 1973. Initially, it only accepted juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The first class comprised 1,112 students who studied in temporary buildings and trailers while permanent facilities were under construction.

Key figures, including oil industrialist Bill Noël and his wife, Ellen Witwer Noël, played a crucial role in the university's establishment. They became significant benefactors of the institution. Today, the university offers programs such as a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in History, a Minor in Mexican-America/Chicano Studies, a Minor in Sports Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in History.

In 1991, the Texas Legislature transformed UTPB into a four-year institution, allowing it to offer undergraduate programs and accept freshmen and sophomore applicants. By 2000, the J. Conrad Dunagen Library and Lecture Center was completed, featuring a twenty-station multimedia lab and classroom.

Unique Traditions

The University of Texas Permian Basin has a unique rivalry history with Odessa College. The rivalry allegedly began when Odessa College students taunted The University of Texas Permian Basin students about their age. This led to a planned streaking event that involved the entire campus community, including the University President, Dr. Armstead.

In 2006, the university discussed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission the possibility of constructing a new High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor. This project would have provided students with hands-on experience in nuclear engineering and demonstrated the university's commitment to advancing technology and public interests in West Texas.

Today, The University of Texas Permian Basin is a thriving public university that offers a diverse range of academic programs. It serves a diverse community of students from the region, the state, and beyond as a regional, comprehensive institution. The university's mission is to cultivate engaged citizens and impact lives through excellence in student-centered teaching, learning, research, and public service. The Department of History at the university aims to help students appreciate and understand the past, believing that studying history is essential to creating a better future.

Academics at UTPB

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a wide array of academic options for students, with five distinct colleges and schools. These include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Education, and the College of Nursing. Each of these colleges houses several departments, providing a diverse range of study areas.

College of Arts and Sciences

Within the College of Arts and Sciences, students can explore various disciplines such as History, Literature and Language, Mathematics, Music, Psychology, and Social Sciences. The university also provides support for students with special needs through the Department of Literacy, Language & Special Population.

College of Business

The College of Business offers a comprehensive range of programs, including Accounting, Finance, Management, and Marketing. The College of Business programs have been nationally recognized. U.S. News & World Report places the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the top 36% of schools assessed. The online Master’s of Business (excluding MBA) ranks in the top 33% percent of schools reviewed by the publication.

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College of Engineering

For those interested in engineering, the College of Engineering provides programs in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering.

College of Education

The College of Education offers programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, and Special Education.

College of Nursing

The College of Nursing provides a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Additional Departments

In addition to these, The University of Texas Permian Basin has several other departments. The Department of Management, Marketing, & Industrial Technology equips students with business and technology knowledge. The Department of Mathematics and the Department of Mechanical Engineering offer courses in their respective fields. The Department of Music provides courses in music theory, history, and performance, while the Department of Petroleum Engineering focuses on petroleum engineering courses. The Department of Psychology and the Department of Social Sciences offer courses in their respective fields, and the Department of Social Work provides knowledge in social work. The Department of Undergraduate Studies offers a variety of courses in different subjects.

The University of Texas Permian Basin also boasts a Science and Technology Complex, which is home to programs in chemistry, biology, physics, computer science, and information technology.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Rankings and Recognition

The University of Texas Permian Basin has received recognition in various rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and student success.

U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report has been publishing lists of top programs, universities, and colleges since 1983. It uses a variety of factors to determine its college rankings. Ranked programs are scored based on a set of criteria, each of which represents a specific percentage of the total ranking. It’s notable that 50% of the Services and Technologies criterion for each category is connected to amount of student debt at graduation.

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Texas Permian Basin is ranked No. #69 in Regional Universities West. It's also ranked No. #36 in Top Public Schools.

College Factual

College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. The “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on History Major in Texas” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2021-2022, 31,443 people earned their degree in history, making the major the 30th most popular in the United States. Across Texas, there were 2,014 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,113 and $21,675 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 186 history graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,529 and $37,012 respectively.

For the 2023 “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on History Major in Texas” ranking, College Factual looked at 36 colleges that offer a degree in history. The University of Texas of the Permian Basin came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on History Major in Texas ranking. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1 masters’s history degrees. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

EduRank

EduRank assesses universities based on research output, non-academic reputation, and alumni impact. As of the most recent update on March 02, 2025, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin ranked 666th in the United States and 2627th in the global 2025 rating. The university scored in the TOP 50% across 13 research topics.

Rankings by Academic Field

Below is a summary of UTPB's rankings in various academic fields, according to EduRank:

Liberal Arts & Social Sciences: Ranked 586th in the United States and 2743rd in the World.
Computer Science: Ranked 497th in the United States and 2664th in the World.
Biology: Ranked 812th in the United States and 4349th in the World.
Medicine: Ranked 745th in the United States and 3601st in the World.
Environmental Science: Ranked 684th in the United States and 3823rd in the World.
Engineering: Ranked 736th in the United States and 4334th in the World.
Psychology: Ranked 756th in the United States and 3268th in the World.
Physics: Ranked 862nd in the United States and 4633rd in the World.
Chemistry: Ranked 799th in the United States and 4535th in the World.
Mathematics: Ranked 774th in the United States and 3956th in the World.
Business: Ranked 573rd in the United States and 2806th in the World.
Economics: Ranked 769th in the United States and 3598th in the World.
Art & Design: Ranked 675th in the United States and 2903rd in the World.

Research Output

EduRank's index shows that The University of Texas of the Permian Basin has 2,493 academic publications and 30,930 citations attributed to the university.

Additional Information

The student-faculty ratio at University of Texas Permian Basin is 19:1, and it utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Texas Permian Basin does not accept the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Campus Life and Affordability

The University of Texas Permian Basin is situated in the city of Odessa, at 4901 East University Boulevard, ZIP code 79762. The campus size is 700 acres. The university's location in West Texas offers accessibility, further enhanced by its proximity to the Midland International Airport.

Affordability

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $9,234; out-of-state tuition and fees are $21,504. Sixty-nine percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $8,601. The net price varies by income group:

$0-30K: $5,297
$30K-48K: $6,952
$48-75K: $9,611
$75-110K: $11,985
$110K +: $15,131

According to U.S. News & World Report, Texas residents may qualify to earn an online bachelor’s degree from UT Permian Basin with 100% of tuition and mandatory fees covered. That’s a respected degree from an accredited institution with no loans or debt!

Student Body

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Undergraduate Student Diversity consist of 4,496 undergraduates, with 2,004 being full-time and 2,492 being part-time.

Retention and Graduation Rates

The freshmen retention rate at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is 66%, which is about average when compared to the national rate of 68%. The four-year graduation rate is 24%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $50,020.

Online Learning

In 2022-2023, 4,965 students took at least one online class at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

Mission, Vision, and Accreditation

Mission and Vision

The mission of the university is to nurture engaged citizens and make a positive impact on lives while promoting the technological and public interests of West Texas. This is accomplished through a commitment to excellence in student-focused teaching, learning, research, and public service.

The vision of The University of Texas Permian Basin is to enhance its undergraduate and graduate degree programs continuously, aiming to be recognized as a viable educational choice for students not only from the region but also from beyond. The university is dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs that adapt to the ever-evolving economy, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the workforce.

Accreditation

The University of Texas Permian Basin holds several accreditations that validate the quality of its educational offerings. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has accredited the university since 1975.

In addition to the SACSCOC accreditation, the University of Texas Permian Basin's Educator Preparation Program has received both state and national accreditations. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has granted state accreditation, while the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) has provided national accreditation.

Furthermore, the University of Texas Permian Basin has three program-specific accreditations. The Nursing education programs at the baccalaureate degree levels have been accredited by the Commission on Nursing Education (CNURED). The Art and Design programs, both degree-granting and non-degree-granting, have also received accreditation.

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