Head-to-head · 2026
Rice University vs The University of Texas at Austin
Compare average net price ($13,370 at Rice University; $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin), ROI score (16.78 vs 9.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($89,718 vs $75,121), and admissions selectivity (8% acceptance at Rice University; 26.6% at The University of Texas at Austin) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Rice University | The University of Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.78 ✓ | 9.46 |
| Avg net price | $13,370 ✓ | $19,857 |
| 4-year avg net price | $53,480 ✓ | $79,428 |
| In-state tuition | $64,144 | $11,688 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $64,144 | $44,908 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $89,718 ✓ | $75,121 |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 26.6% |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% ✓ | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% ✓ | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $11,000 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 4,776 | 42,855 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1553 | 1395 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Rice University | The University of Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,827 ✓ | $12,553 |
| Family income $30–48k | $563 ✓ | $14,297 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,217 ✓ | $17,207 |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,755 ✓ | $24,406 |
| Family income $110k+ | $48,466 | $30,082 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Rice University | The University of Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 23.1% | 1.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 7.5% | 5.5% |
| Economics | 4.3% | 2.3% |
| Psychology, General | 3.6% | 2.8% |
| Biology, General | 2.2% | 3.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1% | 4.7% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4% | 1.8% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 3.4% | 2.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Rice University reports the lower average net price by $6,487 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $25,948 difference over four years ($53,480 vs $79,428).
Rice University reports $14,597 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($89,718 vs $75,121). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 97.4% at Rice University and 96.7% at The University of Texas at Austin. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 vs $20,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Rice University vs The University of Texas at Austin, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Rice University is cheaper — average net price $13,370 per year vs $19,857 at The University of Texas at Austin. The annual difference of $6,487 adds up to about $25,948 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Rice University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $89,718 vs $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. The gap in the federal data is $14,597. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Rice University is more selective at 8% acceptance vs 26.6% at The University of Texas at Austin.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.