Dartmouth vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Dartmouth awards international students $87,562 on average, Rice awards $76,332.
At 6% and 8%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
Students admitted to both more often choose Dartmouth (70.9% enrol, against 44.2%).
Both universities state that they meet the full assessed financial need, so the gap in list prices need not reach your own bill.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Dartmouth is the more selective of the two (6.02% vs 8% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #101-150). Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $90K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $71,525 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 Dartmouth for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rice for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Dartmouth is more selective (6.02% vs 8% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1520).
Dartmouth graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($97K vs $90K); Dartmouth has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.5% vs 94.6%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $71,525); Dartmouth offers a larger average aid package ($75,301 vs $69,040).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Dartmouth | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 6.02% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 70.9% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1520 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 28,230 | 32,473 |
| International students | 14.5% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $97K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $189K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 95.5% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,525 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,301 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,255 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | - | $75 |
| Enrollment | 7,273 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Dartmouth or Rice?
It's harder to get into Dartmouth. Dartmouth accepts 6.02% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Dartmouth or Rice graduates earn more?
Dartmouth graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $97K vs $90K.
How much is tuition at Dartmouth vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,525 per year at Dartmouth and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Dartmouth or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1520 at Dartmouth and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Dartmouth or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Dartmouth vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Dartmouth or Rice?
The average aid package is $75,301 at Dartmouth and $69,040 at Rice.
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