Houston vs Texas Rio Grande Valley - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Houston: 73.9% against 94.2% (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
On paper the cheaper option is Texas Rio Grande Valley: $22,287 against $27,926, which is $5,639 less a year.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Houston: $62K against $50K.
255 points separate the SAT profiles: 1240 (Houston) against 985.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Houston is the more selective of the two (73.92% vs 94.2% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #801-900). Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $27,926 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Texas Rio Grande Valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Houston is more selective (73.92% vs 94.2% acceptance); Houston has a higher median SAT (1240 vs 985).
Houston graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($62K vs $50K); Houston has a higher 6-year graduation rate (64.6% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $27,926); Houston offers a larger average aid package ($16,450 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Texas Rio Grande Valley |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #801-900 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 94.2% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 55.4% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 985 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | - |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 12,137 |
| International students | 5.7% | 1.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $50K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $29K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $67K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 50.9% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 78.9% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $12,950 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $22,287 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $11,242 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 72% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $14,589 |
| Application fee | $75 | - |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 31,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
It's harder to get into Houston. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2%.
Do Houston or Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates earn more?
Houston graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $62K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Texas Rio Grande Valley?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley.
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