Kansas vs Rice — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 93.5% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $64,144 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 Kansas 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 93.5% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1190).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $62K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $64,144); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Kansas | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 93.5% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 25.5% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1190 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.70 | — |
| Number of applications | 22,363 | 32,473 |
| International students | 7% | 30% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $90K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $92K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 68.8% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 86% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $30,432 | $64,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $19,700 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 78.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,212 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 29,792 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Kansas or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Kansas accepts 93.5% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Kansas or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Kansas vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $30,432 per year at Kansas and $64,144 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1190 at Kansas and 1553 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Kansas or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Kansas vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid — Kansas or Rice?
The average aid package is $19,700 at Kansas and $69,040 at Rice.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern