Rice vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rice University in Houston, TX with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (12,938 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

Rice vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or TCU? 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 Rice University than TCU ($23,589 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Christian University are 7.7% lower than at Rice University ($16,700 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCU (about $2,404 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $61,740.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Rice than at Texas Christian University (about $2,404 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $61,740.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Christian University than at Rice University (80% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 60.7% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($56,199 vs. $34,975).

Rice vs. TCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rice or TCU? 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 TCU and Rice.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 290 points higher than at TCU (1250).
• Incoming Rice students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 28 at TCU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rice University 1510/1570; Texas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Rice University 34/35; Texas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Rice students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at TCU (3.68).
• TCU has a higher acceptance rate (44.5%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 24.7% at TCU.

Rice vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and TCU? 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 Texas Christian University's (74%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $28,800 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $11,273 lower median loan debt than TCU graduates ($10,227 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TCU graduates ($105 vs. $222).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 77%)

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.