Head-to-Head Comparison
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology vs Texas A&M University-College Station
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 12
- Texas A&M Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Texas A&M University-College Station offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,315 vs Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513, Texas A&M University-College Station delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Texas A&M University-College Station's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
44 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, 40% more than Texas A&M University-College Station
Texas A&M
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,315, roughly $21,198 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 84% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,804, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 57% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Rose-Hulman Technology graduates concentrate in Engineering (73% of degrees); Texas A&M in Engineering (17%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Texas A&M University-College Station. Median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment vs $72,097.
Pick Texas A&M University-College Station over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Net price $21,315 vs $42,513.
Pick Texas A&M University-College Station over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 84% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University-College Station are close on paper, but Texas A&M University-College Station wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Texas A&M University-College Station is the harder admit. It takes 57% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,427 to 1,280.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Texas A&M University-College Station sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Texas A&M University-College Station comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,315, about $21,198 a year below Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Graduates of Texas A&M University-College Station also borrow less: median debt of $17,804, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $84,792 before any change in aid. Choosing Texas A&M University-College Station leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $101,253, compared with $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. That is a 40% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 40% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Texas A&M University-College Station graduates a larger share of its students, 84% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Texas A&M University-College Station to keep costs and debt down; pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Texas A&M University-College Station saves about $21,198 a year, yet Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn $29,156 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Texas A&M University-College Station leans toward Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $42,513 runs well above Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $17,804 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Texas A&M University-College Station offers the stronger options.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment of 59,615 far exceeds Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's 2,309.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Rose-Hulman Technology, where only about 26% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn an impressive average of $101,253 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential highlights the value of a degree from this private nonprofit institution, with a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Rose-Hulman, making it challenging to assess economic mobility comprehensively. However, the school's 80% graduation rate suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs. This retention rate is crucial for students considering their long-term career prospects and financial outcomes.
Students at Rose-Hulman face a net price of $42,513, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. Despite the cost, the earnings potential can make this investment worthwhile. Those who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields, as the top programs are concentrated in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the sciences.
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 60,000 students, Texas A&M University-College Station is a bustling hub for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business, Biology, and Health Professions. This diverse community suits students who thrive in a large, spirited environment and are looking for practical, career-oriented education. The 57% acceptance rate indicates a competitive yet accessible admissions process, welcoming a broad range of students keen on making an impact in their chosen fields.
When it comes to life after graduation, the figures speak volumes. Graduates earn an impressive average of $72,097 in their first decade, reflecting the solid return on investment that comes with a degree from Texas A&M. This earning potential, coupled with a graduation rate of 84%, illustrates that many students not only complete their degrees but also step into well-paying jobs. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is also working to support students from diverse financial backgrounds.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,315, which is manageable considering the earning prospects. The median debt of $17,804 is reasonable, especially when weighed against the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage in a collaborative and energetic college culture, preparing them well for their careers ahead.
Rankings They Appear On
Texas A&M University-College Station is featured on the Best Engineering Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 73% of Rose-Hulman Technology's student body and 17% of Texas A&M's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Texas A&M).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while Texas A&M University-College Station concentrates in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Rose-Hulman Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Texas A&M University-College Station is harder to get into, admitting 57% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Texas A&M University-College Station is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,315 after aid versus $42,513 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Do Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn more?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $101,253 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Texas A&M University-College Station has the higher graduation rate, 84% versus 80%.
Should you choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Texas A&M University-College Station?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Texas A&M University-College Station if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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