Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts most of the applications it receives (94.2%), while Stanford turns away the overwhelming majority (3.8%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Stanford: 13.1% of students against 1.7% (Texas Rio Grande Valley).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Stanford awards international students $85,424 on average, Texas Rio Grande Valley awards $6,258.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Stanford lists $97,545 against $37,183 (Texas Rio Grande Valley), but after average aid what remains is $20,266 against $25,941.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 94.2% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $50K). Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $68,574 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 Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 94.2% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 985).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $50K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 50.9%).
Texas Rio Grande Valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($22,287 vs $68,574); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas Rio Grande Valley | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | - | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 60,646 |
| International students | 1.7% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $29K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $22,287 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,242 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 72% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $14,589 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | - | $100 |
| Enrollment | 31,864 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas Rio Grande Valley or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Texas Rio Grande Valley accepts 94.2% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Texas Rio Grande Valley or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Texas Rio Grande Valley vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $22,287 per year at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Texas Rio Grande Valley or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 985 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Texas Rio Grande Valley vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas Rio Grande Valley or Stanford?
The average aid package is $11,242 at Texas Rio Grande Valley and $77,279 at Stanford.
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