The University of Texas at Arlington 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 3.8 years at The University of Texas at Arlington, on median earnings of $89,718 vs $63,199 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | The University of Texas at Arlington | Rice University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,951 | $13,370 |
| Total net cost | $55,804 | $53,480 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $63,199 | $89,718 |
| Median debt | $17,527 | $11,000 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 1.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $240,976 | $773,680 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas at Arlington or Rice University?
Rice University, at $13,370 a year after aid versus $13,951 — a gap of $581 a year, or $2,324 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do The University of Texas at Arlington or Rice University graduates earn more?
Rice University graduates report a median $89,718 ten years after entry, $26,519 more than the $63,199 at The University of Texas at Arlington. 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, The University of Texas at Arlington or Rice University?
Rice University: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $17,527 at The University of Texas at Arlington, a difference of $6,527. 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 54% at The University of Texas at Arlington. 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.