Rice vs. Trinity

Comparable Facts

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

Rice University is larger than Trinity based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 2,687 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Trinity University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Trinity University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; Trinity University 8:1.

Rice vs. Trinity Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or Trinity? 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 Trinity ($23,589 vs. $32,224).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity University are 18.5% lower than at Rice University ($14,750 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trinity (about $10,468 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $53,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.5% higher at Rice than at Trinity University (about $10,468 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $53,676.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity University than at Rice University (100% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 56.2% larger than aid received by Trinity University students ($56,199 vs. $35,990).

Rice vs. Trinity Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 120 points higher than at Trinity (1420).
• Incoming Rice students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Trinity).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; Trinity University 1340/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; Trinity University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; Trinity - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; Trinity Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Trinity (3.68).
• Trinity has a higher acceptance rate (25.9%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 20.1% at Trinity.

Rice vs. Trinity Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and Trinity? 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 Trinity University's (80%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than Trinity graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $62,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $15,273 lower median loan debt than Trinity graduates ($10,227 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $158 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trinity graduates ($105 vs. $263).
• More Trinity graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (88% vs. 87%)

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.