Have to decide very soon. Your comments will be lot of help. As far cost we can manage though with stretch
You say “cost with merit and FA.” How much of each at each school, and do you expect those numbers to stay relatively constant over her four years? Here’s why I ask: If the awards are merit-based, they won’t decrease as long as she maintains the GPA needed to keep the scholarship. But If it’s FA, then a significant change in your family’s circumstances could change the aid. Example: another child entering college in 2 years will likely mean higher FA, but if she has a sibling who’s graduating in 2 years, then FA will decrease for years 3 and 4. Do you expect a pay increase (or reduction) for either parent?
Congratulations to your daughter and what she has achieved!
Rice is a world class research university which has the potential to help her achieve her ambitions, whether it is to become a doctor or to pursue another career should she change direction (as many students do). If it is at all affordable, the opportunity to attend a university at the level of a Rice is priceless.
Emory is also an excellent university, but not at the level of Rice and shouldn’t be a consideration if Rice is less expensive. Both will afford her a very substantially better learning and growth experience than UPitt.
Attending Rice will also mitigate her risks. If she chooses to become a doctor, that can be accomplished through Rice or UPitt (although my guess is the Rice Med School placement statistics are dramatically better than UPitt’s). However if she changes direction the Rice degree will be able to open doors that will be substantially more difficult, if not impossible (baring connections), with a degree from UPitt.
I would say that if your family can afford Rice without taking out loans, it would be worth it. Otherwise, Pitt is a very good school!