Kansas vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Rice admits 8% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
The more international environment is at Rice (13% international students) than Kansas (3.1%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rice awards international students $76,332 on average, Kansas awards $11,164.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Rice starts at $92,262 against $47,138 and ends at $23,222 against $27,438 (Kansas).
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 93.48% 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 $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 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 93.48% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 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 $67,497); 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 | 93.48% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 25.5% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1190 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.68 | - |
| Number of applications | 22,363 | 32,473 |
| International students | 3.1% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $40K | $63K |
| 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 | $67,497 |
| 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 93.48% 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 $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Kansas or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1190 at Kansas and 1540 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.
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