Mathematics at Rice University

Rice's Mathematics bachelor's produces first-year earnings of $50,286—solid but unremarkable for a program at one of the nation's most selective universities. With an 8% admission rate and average SATs above 1550, Rice attracts students who could likely access the state's top-performing math programs, several of which report significantly stronger outcomes. UT Austin graduates earn $60,011, while SMU leads at $74,516. Rice's estimated debt of $21,750 keeps the financial picture manageable, but that advantage matters less when peer institutions deliver 20-50% higher starting salaries.

The gap becomes more concerning given Rice's elite positioning. Math graduates here earn roughly at the Texas median, placing 60th percentile statewide—a position typically occupied by mid-tier public universities, not institutions competing with Ivy League schools for students. The modest debt load, based on Rice's typical borrowing patterns across programs, suggests the school provides strong financial aid. But when comparable math programs produce substantially better earnings outcomes, even manageable debt doesn't guarantee competitive positioning in the job market.

For families weighing this investment, the critical question is whether Rice's broader value—research opportunities, small classes, Houston's energy sector connections—justifies accepting earnings that lag behind several in-state alternatives. The numbers alone don't make the case for choosing Rice's math program over UT Austin or SMU, where graduates' financial trajectories start considerably stronger.