<p>Not that it probably makes a difference but UT has 48000 overall (grad + undergrad). I think it's like 36,000 for undergrad. Admittedly still large if you're looking for class size. I have no idea the total # of engineering undergrads at both schools. However, UT's resources and departments are still stellar across the board. Compare academic rankings of departments in all academic disciplines with sources like the NRC, USNWR, discipline specific rankings, and world rankings like those of the London Times Supplement... UT's programs and faculty are all ranked higher than Rice in almost every case. For engineering, I believe biomedical is the only engineering program Rice is ranked higher in, but that will likely change since UT's program is still very young. In fact, back when the NRC rankings were last published, UT was #1 in Texas in 30 of its 37 academic fields evaluated. If you compare USNWR's undergrad ranking, UT and Rice are both tied at 4.1 for peer reputation score. Rice is ranked higher than UT overall in the USNWR undergrad rankings because of its smaller size and selectivity, factors which don't really have anything to do with actual faculty/department quality. If your son decides to change majors, there are many other highly ranked programs at UT. I know Rice is a great school and I'm certainly not denying it... I just think sometimes it gets too much credit vs. UT.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation when deciding on colleges--either go to UT or go to a private college, such as Rice. </p>
<p>I ended up going to UT since it would cost nothing and even though I was hesitant at first, I must say that UT is a damn good engineering school. First, my ME upper division classes have ranged from 15 to 40 people. Contrary to popular belief, UT is a big school but that doesn't mean you'll have 200 people in all your classes. Granted, the intro classes (Chem, Calculus, Physics) and common engineering classes (Statics, Dynamics, Solids) might be large but once you get into major sequence, the numbers shoot down. I'm sure BME has even lower numbers since ME has one of the highest enrollments.</p>
<p>Above all, Rice is a world class institution and has a strong BME department--I actually know some of the professors and curriculum advisers well. Yet one thing I want to stress is that UT has AMAZING facilities and opportunities. It was VERY easy for me to gain a research position (all I did was ask) and there are many merit scholarships out there that make the already cheap instate tuition, even lower. Furthermore the UT has wonderful engineering relations with labs and companies--we throw the 2nd largest engineering expo in the world. If anything, I say give UT a shot just because most of the professors will help you get research internships at labs.</p>
<p>Finally, UT has focused a lot of attention into the BME program and are constructing a brand new building.</p>
<p>Anxiousmom, </p>
<p>By any chance are you from the Houston area?</p>
<p>Personally between UT and Rice, I'd go UT. My main deciding factor would be money. Is a Rice education worth $19,000 more per year than a UT education? I don't think so. Smaller classes are great, but not at that cost. Plus you can't go wrong with the social atmosphere and sports program UT has to offer.</p>