Houston vs Texas rio grande valley — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Houston is the more selective of the two (73.9% 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 ($19,827 vs $22,547 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 (73.9% vs 94.2% acceptance); Houston has a higher median SAT (1250 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 ($19,827 vs $22,547); 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 | 73.9% | 94.2% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 55.4% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 985 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 12,137 |
| International students | 16% | 3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $50K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $44K |
| 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 | $22,547 | $19,827 |
| 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 73.9% 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 $22,547 per year at Houston and $19,827 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 1250 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.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern