Austin College vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Austin College in Sherman, TX with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rice University is larger than Austin College based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 1,217 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Austin College is located in Sherman, TX (Small City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Austin College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Austin College 11:1; Rice University 6:1.

Austin College vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin College or Rice? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin College than Rice ($23,462 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Austin College are 22.9% lower than at Rice University ($13,951 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 31.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Austin College (about $15,464 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $48,680.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.8% higher at Rice than at Austin College (about $15,464 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $48,680.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Austin College than at Rice University (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 48.9% larger than aid received by Austin College students ($56,199 vs. $37,742).

Austin College vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin College or Rice? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rice and Austin College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 330 points higher than at Austin College (1210).
• Incoming Rice students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 26 at Austin College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Austin College 1100/1310; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Austin College 23/29; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Austin College - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Austin College Jul 31, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Rice students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Austin College (3.63).
• Austin College has a higher acceptance rate (47.7%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Austin College vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Austin College vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Austin College and Rice? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Rice University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Austin College's (75%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $31,800 more per year than Austin College graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $15,773 lower median loan debt than Austin College graduates ($10,227 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Austin College graduates ($105 vs. $268).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Austin College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.