Iowa State vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Iowa State accepts most of the applications it receives (88.7%), while Rice turns away the overwhelming majority (8%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13% (Rice) against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Real money goes to international students at Rice ($76,332 on average), while Iowa State stops at $12,582.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Rice lists $92,262 against $42,789 (Iowa State), but after average aid what remains is $23,222 against $27,124.
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 88.66% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 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 Iowa State for: lower tuition.
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 88.66% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1250).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $63K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $67,497); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | - |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 32,473 |
| International students | 3.7% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Iowa State or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Rice?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $69,040 at Rice.
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