Rice vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Rice: 8% against 26.6% (Texas at Austin).
The more international environment is at Rice (13% international students) than Texas at Austin (4.5%).
Average aid for an international student is $76,332 (Rice) and $21,838 (Texas at Austin).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Rice lists $92,262 against $60,460 (Texas at Austin), but after average aid what remains is $23,222 against $40,241.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 26.64% acceptance). Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #45). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $67,497 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 Rice for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 26.64% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1395).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $75K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 88.9%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $67,497); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 72,885 |
| International students | 13% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $67,497 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 100% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Rice or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,497 per year at Rice and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Rice and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rice or Texas at Austin?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rice or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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