Rice vs. Texas Tech

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Tech University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (40,757 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Texas Tech University is in Lubbock, TX (Midsize City setting).
• Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Tech University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; Texas Tech University 20:1.

Rice vs. Texas Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or Texas Tech? 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 Tech University than Rice ($16,919 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Tech University are 40.7% lower than at Rice University ($10,742 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 441.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Texas Tech (about $52,292 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $11,852.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 162.3% higher at Rice than at Texas Tech University (about $39,693 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $24,451.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Tech University than at Rice University (79% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 435.5% larger than aid received by Texas Tech University students ($56,199 vs. $10,494).

Rice vs. Texas Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 350 points higher than at Texas Tech (1190).
• Incoming Rice students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at Texas Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; Texas Tech University 1090/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; Texas Tech University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; Texas Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Texas Tech (3.76).
• Texas Tech has a higher acceptance rate (72.6%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 27.1% at Texas Tech.

Rice vs. Texas Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and Texas Tech? 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 Tech University's (61%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $27,900 more per year than Texas Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $58,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $12,273 lower median loan debt than Texas Tech graduates ($10,227 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $127 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Texas Tech graduates ($105 vs. $232).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Texas Tech students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 66%)

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.