Texas at Austin vs Rice - 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 (#45 vs #101-150). 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 Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rice for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
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 | Texas at Austin | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #45 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 26.64% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 47.4% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1395 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 72,885 | 32,473 |
| International students | 4.5% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $51K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 88.9% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.7% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $44,908 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,219 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 75% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $19,919 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 53,864 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas at Austin or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Texas at Austin accepts 26.64% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Texas at Austin or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Texas at Austin vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Texas at Austin or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1395 at Texas at Austin and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas at Austin or Rice?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #45 for Texas at Austin vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas at Austin or Rice?
The average aid package is $20,219 at Texas at Austin and $69,040 at Rice.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern