The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is a general academic university of The University of Texas System. The University of Texas System is committed to pursue high-quality educational opportunities for the enhancement of the human resources of Texas, the nation, and the world through intellectual and personal growth.
The mission of The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is to provide quality education to all qualified students in a supportive educational environment; to promote excellence in teaching, research, and service; and to serve as a resource for the intellectual, social, economic, and technological advancement of the diverse constituency in Texas and the region.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (commonly called UT Permian Basin or simply UTPB) is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. Its unofficial fall 2007 enrollment was 3,586.
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin began in 1973 as a university that offered only junior, senior, and graduate level programs. There were 1,011 students when the school opened. The school allowed students to help with the interviews of prospective faculty. Student recommendations were considered when additional faculty were hired.
Amusingly, a rivalry with Odessa College (OC) got underway from the very beginning when OC students taunted the UTPB students that they were too old to produce a streaker. A student finally agreed, and with only his head covered, streaked across the campus. The Director of Admissions not only witnessed the feat, but contributed to the bail when the student was arrested.
George E. "Buddy" West, a member of the first graduating class from UTPB, represented Odessa in the Texas House of Representatives from 1993 until his death in 2008. He became the legislative point man on UTPB issues. West worked to obtain the Presidential Museum and Leadership Library, a new student union building, and the performing arts center.
UTPB was an upper level and graduate university until the Texas Legislature passed a bill in spring 1991 to allow the university to accept freshmen and sophomores. The first freshmen, called the "Pioneer Freshmen," began attending UTPB in the fall semester of 1991, and students were first designated as sophomores the following fall. Odessan Chris Horton was the first member of the "Pioneer Freshmen" to graduate from UTPB, completing his bachelors degree in political science in May 1994.
In the years after freshmen and sophomores were added, UTPB has upgraded its campus extensively. In 2000, the J. Conrad Dunagan Library and Lecture Center was completed, featuring a twenty-station multimedia lab and classroom. In addition, UTPB has added a visual arts studio, and has installed a Stonehenge replica. Several apartment-style building have also been added to provide housing for university students. While upgrading the campus, UTPB has also added an intercollegiate sports program. After competing in the Red River Athletic Conference of the NAIA since the fall of 1995, UTPB's sports teams debuted as members of the Heartland Conference of NCAA Division II in the fall of 2006. These and other changes have helped to attract local students who may have opted for junior colleges or other universities.
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| Percent of Students International: | 0% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 18% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Member of: | NAA, NAIA |
| Sports Include: |
Basketball (Red River Athletic Conference) Baseball (Red River Athletic Conference) Track (Red River Athletic Conference) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-State | Out-of-State | |
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 3,340 | $ 9,964 | |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 2,616 | $ 9,240 | |
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 724 | $ 724 | |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 1,432 | 45% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 1,036 | 30% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 1,276 | 89% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 1,239 | 34% | |
Any Aid: |
98% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 95% (Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 73% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 430, Math: 430 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 560, Math: 560 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 27% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 19, Verbal: 18, Math: 18 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 24, Verbal: 25, Math: 25 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Recommended |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Required |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Not Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
