Central Florida vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Rice: 8% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13% (Rice) against 3.3% (Central Florida).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rice awards international students $76,332 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Rice starts at $92,262 against $42,038 and ends at $23,222 against $30,224 (Central Florida).
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 44.71% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $67,497 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rice for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 44.71% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1260).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $58K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $67,497); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Central Florida | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 44.71% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 33.5% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1260 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.16 | - |
| Number of applications | 55,135 | 32,473 |
| International students | 3.3% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 78% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 92.3% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $18,190 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $24,076 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,814 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 65% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,529 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $30 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 69,338 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Central Florida or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Central Florida accepts 44.71% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Central Florida or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Central Florida vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $24,076 per year at Central Florida and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Central Florida or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1260 at Central Florida and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Central Florida or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Central Florida vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Central Florida or Rice?
The average aid package is $11,814 at Central Florida and $69,040 at Rice.
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