Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Houston - 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 (#801-900 vs #201-300). 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 Texas Rio Grande Valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
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 | Texas Rio Grande Valley | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 31,716 |
| International students | 1.7% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $29K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 87% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $22,287 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,242 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 72% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $14,589 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 31,864 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas Rio Grande Valley or Houston?
It's harder to get into Houston. Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Texas Rio Grande Valley or Houston graduates earn more?
Houston graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $62K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Texas Rio Grande Valley or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Houston?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Houston?
The average aid package is $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $16,450 at Houston.
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