Education
Skilled workforce is one of the main requirements when companies look at cities to locate their
operations. Education institutions from the primary stages to the graduate levels are key for
McAllen, Texas to remain a competitive city in the site selection process.
With many excellent schools, colleges, and universities, McAllen is heading to being a premier
place for education.
McAllen MSA residents have access to different school districts including IDEA academy,
Science Academy, Tech Prep, and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. The University
of Texas PanAmerican offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral
degrees to a growing number of students. South Texas College offers
applied technology associates' degrees, certifications, on-the-job training, and a number of
bachelor's degrees. In addition, South Texas College's Technical campus works directly with
manufacturing and other industrial companies to customize training for their employees.
| Degrees Conferred |
| Institution |
Certs |
Associates |
Bachelors |
Masters |
Doctoral |
Total |
| South Texas College |
982 |
1,935 |
95 |
0 |
0 |
3,012 |
| UT Pan American |
0 |
0 |
2,620 |
643 |
9 |
3,272 |
| Source: UTPA and STC |
University of Texas Pan American
The University of Texas-Pan American is in the middle of one of the fastest growing areas in the
nation, the southern tip of Texas known as the Rio Grande Valley. UTPA is located in Edinburg,
Texas, approximately 10 miles north of the US/Mexico border and 75 miles northwest of South
Padre Island. UTPA provides program specific classes in Rio Grande City, McAllen and South
Padre Island in addition to those offered through the online learning center.
Since its inception in 1927, The University of Texas-Pan American has conferred over 2,600
associate's, 50,400 bachelor's, 10,800 master's and 100 doctoral degrees.
UTPA provides an affordable education and global opportunities with a choice of 57 bachelor's,
57 master's, three doctoral, and two cooperative doctoral programs within 7 colleges.
According to The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education 2010, UTPA is among the top 100 best U.S.
colleges for Hispanics
The MBA program in the UTPA College of Business Administration is ranked as one of "The Best 301
Business Schools" by the Princeton Review (Princeton Review, 2010 Edition).
FibeRio Technology Corporation, the first company formed by The University of Texas-Pan American
emanating from the discoveries of its faculty, won the Silver Award March 17 at the World's Best
Technology (WBT) Showcase in Arlington, Texas (Los Arcos, Spring 2010).
South Texas College
South Texas College offers more than 100 degree and certificate program options, including
associate degrees in a variety of art, science, technology and allied health fields of study. New to
the college are online associate degrees in Business Administration, Criminal Justice and Social
Sciences.
STC offers a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) degree in Technology Management,
as well as a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Computer and Information Technology. The
college is one of only three Texas community colleges accredited to offer a BAT degree and the
only community college in Texas accredited to offer two bachelor's degrees.
STC is the only Texas College to be accredited by NIMS
McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD boasts an International Baccalaureate Programme that provides students with a highly rigorous curriculum set to global standards,
a comprehensive high school that offers students Advanced Placement college level instruction in its high school classrooms, a concurrent
enrollment program with students attending a local university or college, and a dual enrollment program with students acquiring credit at
both levels (high school and university) simultaneously.
Through a special agreement with a local institution of higher learning, McAllen ISD students may also enroll in one several specialized
academies:
- DEMSA (Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy)
- DEEA (Dual Enrollment Engineering Academy)
- DECSA (Dual Enrollment Computer Science Academy)
These programs put students on a path to earn specific Associates Degrees before they finish high school.
This also goes for students in the Achieve Early College High School. McAllen ISD offers the only ECHS in the Valley that is based at a
college campus. These students are also on track to hold an Associate’s Degree by the time they graduate high school.
Furthermore, there are three-year plans for early graduates and a Career Technical Education Program that offers certifications in 12
different disciplines. Along with this comes a wealth of enrichment offerings like a widely acclaimed fine arts program, a highly
touted athletics program and student organizations to accommodate every child’s interest and well-being.
Download the McAllen ISD Brochure
