UT Austin vs other schools for Biochemistry

DD is an auto admit to UT Austin, but she would prefer a smaller school with more options to explore subjects outside of her major. Could anybody comment on how UT Austin compares to the following colleges in terms of prestige, quality of education specifically for Biochemistry major and prospects for admittance to competitive grad schools:
Case Western
Rice
Smith
Macalester
Swarthmore
Or should she just stick with Austin?
Thank you in advance for any information!

I have heard that Rice has an amazing STEM program with really competitive classes on offer.

If you are auto admit at IT you are from Texas. I would look at Rice. But I would also look at Trinity University if she wants to explore things outside her major. If her class rank is that high she is likely to have the gap and test scores for a very nice merit based scholarship.

Swarthmore fills their classes with generally brilliant students. It would be a top-notch school for biochemistry.

Smith offers a flexible curriculum that would allow for academic exploration.

Rice’s tech orientation might be desirable for a biochemistry major. Rice may be somewhat less desirable, however, for a student who might like to explore widely outside of the sciences.

All of the schools on your daughter’s tentative list compare well to UTA when considered by the academic preparation of their students: https://amp.businessinsider.com/the-610-smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9.

Your daughter may also want to consider Amherst, Hamilton, Grinnell, Haverford, Mt. Holyoke and the University of Rochester.

From your other thread you already said you are upper income and don’t have your EFC and that UT Austin will be a stretch ($COA 25-28K per year) without merit aid. Has something changed since you made that thread last month?

Your list
Case Western
Rice
Smith
Macalester
Swarthmore

Most likely you will end up paying your EFC or within +/- 5K, right? Is there missing information?

@carachel2 Just exploring different options. I did get a promotion with a small raise that will give us some wiggle room at least at Austin. And I did run some NPCs and COA at some of the other schools comes out to be similar or less than UT Austin. I understand it is not a guarantee, but I think she deserves to have at least some options. She worked so hard for it. I just want to make sure that other schools are a good match for her academically. Another reason why we are still considering Austin is because she can get 24 CH for IB diploma from there and she did really well on her first 2 IB exams. So, with all extra credits for IB and AP I think she has a good chance to graduate early from UT Austin and save some money that way. And we are still keeping UTD as an admission and financial safety.

@merc81 Great information! Thank you!