Texas A&M University-College Station vs Rice University: which has better ROI?
Rice University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,480 in 1.3 years versus 3.6 years at Texas A&M University-College Station, on median earnings of $89,718 vs $72,097 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Texas A&M University-College Station | Rice University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,315 | $13,370 |
| Total net cost | $85,260 | $53,480 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $72,097 | $89,718 |
| Median debt | $17,804 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 3.6 yrs | 1.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $389,480 | $773,680 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Texas A&M University-College Station or Rice University?
Rice University, at $13,370 a year after aid versus $21,315 — a gap of $7,945 a year, or $31,780 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Texas A&M University-College Station or Rice University graduates earn more?
Rice University graduates report a median $89,718 ten years after entry, $17,621 more than the $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Texas A&M University-College Station or Rice University?
Rice University: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $17,804 at Texas A&M University-College Station, a difference of $6,804. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
95% of students finish at Rice University, against 84% at Texas A&M University-College Station. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.