Rice University, situated in Houston, Texas, is a private university for research with high academic standards and small, intimate campus of about 8,000 students. Admissions are very competitive with an acceptance rate of about 7.9%. Rice is famous for Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business, Architecture, and Social Sciences studies. Its six-year graduation rate is extremely good at around 92%, and its graduates start with average salaries of USD $70,000–80,000 (INR 58–66 lakhs) per annum.
University of Houston (UH), in Houston, Texas, is a big public research university with approximately 47,000 students. It is renowned for business, engineering, law, health sciences, and arts programs. Admissions are fairly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 70%. UH graduates around 64% of students, and alumni receive average starting salaries of USD $50,000–55,000 (INR 42–46 lakhs) per year.
| Rice University | University of Houston | |
|---|---|---|
| Programs | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -26 Doctorate Programs -3 | UG Programs -28 PG Programs -7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7.9 % | 60.0 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-130 GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1490 TOEFL-100 | IELTS-5 TOEFL-61 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 50310 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 51500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24200 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 11077 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 13624 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 20308 Per Year |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.3/10 Read 4 reviews | 7.0/10 Read 1 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160GRE - 322/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 85/160GRE - 300/340IELTS - 5.5/9PTE - 43/90TOEFL - 61/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -66000 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -81500 |
| application dates | Jan 8, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Mar 24, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | Oct 1, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake) Oct 15, 2025 (International Confirmation Fee Deadline for Spring intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake) Apr 15, 2026 (International Confirmation Fee Deadline for Fall intake) |
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| General Facts | Rice University | University of Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1912 | 1971 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 16:1 |
| Male:Female | 53% Male, 47% Female | 35% Male, 65% Female |
| Hostel | #On-Campus Living Expenses - $18100 #Off-Campus Living Expenses - $6100 | #Off campus (with family) - $4178 #Off campus (not with family) - $7996 #On campus - $8134 |
| City Life | Houston- most populated city in Texas; recognized for its energy industry; home to the famous Space Center Houston, Livestock Show and Rodeo, Museum District, Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston Zoo, The Heights, beaches of Galveston, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, etc.; Houses second-most Fortune 500 headquarters in USA; Unemployment Rate- 3.6% (Dec 2019). | |
| Weather |
Rice University vs University of Houston
Topic Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)
Rice University consistently features in the global top 100, approximately 119 in QS 2026 and 112 in THE 2026, with research strengths in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business, Architecture, and Social Sciences. The University of Houston (UH) features approximately 566 in the world (QS 2026) and 401–500 in THE 2026, with established programs in Business, Engineering, Law, Energy, and Hospitality Management, focusing on applied research and local effect.
General Information
Rice, established in 1912, is a Houston, Texas-based private research university with ~8,000 students, distinguished by small class sizes, a tight-knit campus, and excellent research programs, especially in business and STEM. UH, established in 1927, is a public research university in Houston with ~47,000 students, providing an extensive urban campus experience with diverse offerings and strong connections to Houston's industries, especially energy and business.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Rice (7.9%) has very selective acceptance, and engineering, business, and the natural sciences are especially competitive. While generally more welcoming to in-state students, UH is somewhat selective (70%), with competitive admission for engineering, business, and nursing.
Research Impact & Facilities
The university is a Carnegie R1 research university, which is known for energy, nanotechnology, bioengineering, and space sciences with top-of-the-line laboratories and a strong commitment to undergraduate research. UH is also active in research, especially in energy, petroleum engineering, business, and health sciences, and has close collaborations with the industries and medical centers of Houston.
Cost & Financial Aid
Rice, being a private university, costs about $55,000 per year with considerable need-based and merit scholarships. UH, being a public university, has more affordable tuition (~$11,000 in-state, ~$28,000 out-of-state) and provides merit scholarships, research assistantships, and need-based aid.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Rice graduates are competitive on the international level, performing well in STEM, business, research, and entrepreneurship, with a robust alumni network and connections to leading companies and institutions. UH graduates thrive especially in energy, business, engineering, healthcare, and regional leadership, drawing on close connections to Houston industries as well as a developing national reputation.
