Comparing Chemical Engineering: UT, UH and Rice, Texas tech

[stanwood]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

I always thought Rice University was the closest we had to an Ivy in Texas? I mean, you say you're from Rice and some people about fall over themselves. Won't get that same reaction with the other schools. Not sure if that changes by degree path though.

That's certainly true at the undergraduate level.

[jr1038]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

I always thought Rice University was the closest we had to an Ivy in Texas? I mean, you say you're from Rice and some people about fall over themselves. Won't get that same reaction with the other schools. Not sure if that changes by degree path though.

Well amongst much of the general public Rice certainly has more prestige than UT or A&M - and rightfully so at least on the undergraduate level, as Rice is the most selective university and has the highest-achieving student body in the state.

On the graduate level the gap between Rice and the top publics (UT and A&M) closes considerably and in fact many in the field would argue that UT has the better - although perhaps not most "prestigious" - graduate engineering program. FWIW, most university ranking publications put UT ahead of Rice in this area. Both Rice and UT are equally selective at the graduate level (~17% overall acceptance rate) and both have accomplished faculty - UT just has many more since it's a larger school and also has a broader range of research areas.

Of course this is really just splitting hairs because both UT and Rice have excellent programs, and in this context the "best" school is the one that has the most accomplished faculty in the prospective student's particular area of interest. Engineers from both schools are highly sought after in industry.

[TX75007]

I would go where its the cheapest and they give you the best deal.