Rice vs. UTSA

Comparable Facts

Compare Rice University in Houston, TX with The University of Texas at San Antonio in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at San Antonio is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (35,770 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); The University of Texas at San Antonio is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; The University of Texas at San Antonio 24:1.

Rice vs. UTSA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or UTSA? 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio than Rice ($10,959 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at San Antonio are 17.6% lower than at Rice University ($14,912 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 611.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UTSA (about $55,133 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $9,011.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 190.9% higher at Rice than at The University of Texas at San Antonio (about $42,093 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $22,051.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at San Antonio than at Rice University (76% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 395.9% larger than aid received by The University of Texas at San Antonio students ($56,199 vs. $11,332).

Rice vs. UTSA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 430 points higher than at UTSA (1110).
• Incoming Rice students have a 12 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 22 at UTSA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; The University of Texas at San Antonio 1000/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; The University of Texas at San Antonio 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; UTSA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; UTSA Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UTSA (3.36).
• UTSA has a higher acceptance rate (86.8%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 27.1% at UTSA.

Rice vs. UTSA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and UTSA? 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 The University of Texas at San Antonio's (27%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $38,500 more per year than UTSA graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $47,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $12,756 lower median loan debt than UTSA graduates ($10,227 vs. $22,983).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UTSA graduates ($105 vs. $237).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UTSA students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 55%)

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.