Rice vs. Texas A&M

Comparable Facts

Compare Rice University in Houston, TX with Texas A&M University College Station in College Station, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas A&M University College Station is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (78,321 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas A&M University College Station is in College Station, TX (Small City setting).
• Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas A&M University College Station is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; Texas A&M University College Station 20:1.

Rice vs. Texas A&M Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or Texas A&M? 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 Texas A&M University College Station than Rice ($21,437 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas A&M University College Station are 28.1% lower than at Rice University ($13,008 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 387.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas A&M (about $50,990 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $13,154.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.9% higher at Rice than at Texas A&M University College Station (about $24,020 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $40,124.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Rice University as at Texas A&M University College Station (56% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 346.7% larger than aid received by Texas A&M University College Station students ($56,199 vs. $12,580).

Rice vs. Texas A&M Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rice or Texas A&M? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Texas A&M and Rice.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 260 points higher than at Texas A&M (1280).
• Incoming Rice students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Texas A&M).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; Texas A&M University College Station 1150/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; Texas A&M University College Station 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; Texas A&M - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; Texas A&M Dec 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Texas A&M (3.68).
• Texas A&M has a higher acceptance rate (57.4%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 39.9% at Texas A&M.

Rice vs. Texas A&M Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and Texas A&M? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Rice University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Texas A&M University College Station's (81%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $20,800 more per year than Texas A&M graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $65,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $8,523 lower median loan debt than Texas A&M graduates ($10,227 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas A&M graduates ($105 vs. $193).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas A&M students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.