<p>If you think you fit better at Rice, then I would choose Rice. The educational experience and environment at Rice is at the top in the nation. While cost is definitely a consideration, it looks like the price difference is only $5 or $6k per year, plus there are also departmental scholarships you could apply for and summer jobs and paid internships that will bring that cost down. The Rice experience is definitely worth far more than that amount and you really develop a close relationship with your professors. I have friends who have attended both, and while they were happy at their chosen school, you have to choose the one that best fits you. It’s a tough decision, but ultimately you have to choose where you feel like you fit and where you think you will be happy. One of my friends said that Rice had the happiest student population, but that may be just because she went there, lol! It sounds like you are choosing UT based on price, and I think that is a mistake in your case because the price difference is rather negligible and while the EFC amount will go up a little bit when your older brother graduates, it won’t be that much to make a huge difference. Choose based on fit, not price. That being said, they are both excellent schools with quality education. Just remember most students do not graduate in 4 years at UT (not in the engineering department at least), so if you have to spend an extra year at UT, then in that case Rice would actually be much cheaper!</p>