UH vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Houston is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Houston 22:1; Rice University 6:1.

UH vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UH or Rice? 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 University of Houston than Rice ($14,309 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 37.6% lower than at Rice University ($11,286 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 560.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $54,427 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.5% higher at Rice than at University of Houston (about $41,597 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston than at Rice University (74% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 362.2% larger than aid received by University of Houston students ($56,199 vs. $12,159).

UH vs. Rice Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 290 points higher than at UH (1250).
• Incoming Rice students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UH).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 1160/1340; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Houston 23/29; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UH - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UH (3.46).
• UH has a higher acceptance rate (73.9%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.5% at UH vs. 44.2% at Rice.

UH vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UH and Rice? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $27,400 more per year than UH graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,523 lower median loan debt than UH graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,750).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH graduates ($105 vs. $204).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 61%)

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.