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The University of Texas at Austin vs Rice University: which has better ROI?

Public, Austin TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Houston TX

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Rice University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,480 in 1.3 years versus 3 years at The University of Texas at Austin, on median earnings of $89,718 vs $75,121 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureThe University of Texas at AustinRice University
Net price / yr$19,857$13,370
Total net cost$79,428$53,480
Median earnings, 10 yrs$75,121$89,718
Median debt$20,500$11,000
Payback3 yrs1.3 yrs
20-year net return$455,792$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 Austin or Rice University?

Rice University, at $13,370 a year after aid versus $19,857 — a gap of $6,487 a year, or $25,948 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 Austin or Rice University graduates earn more?

Rice University graduates report a median $89,718 ten years after entry, $14,597 more than the $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin. 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 Austin or Rice University?

Rice University: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $20,500 at The University of Texas at Austin, a difference of $9,500. 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 89% at The University of Texas at Austin. 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.

The University of Texas at Austin vs Rice University: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Texas at Austin or Rice University a better value?
Rice University. It clears its $53,480 net cost in about 1.3 years versus 3 years at The University of Texas at Austin, on median earnings of $89,718 vs $75,121 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, The University of Texas at Austin or Rice University?
Rice University: $13,370/yr net price after aid versus $19,857/yr at The University of Texas at Austin — a difference of $6,487 a year, or about $25,948 over four years.
Do The University of Texas at Austin or Rice University graduates earn more?
Rice University graduates earn a median $89,718 ten years after entry, versus $75,121 at The University of Texas at Austin — a $14,597 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.