Maryland (umbc) vs Rice — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 72.4% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#601-700 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $70K). Maryland (umbc) has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,275 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 Maryland (umbc) 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 72.4% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1323).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $70K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 70%).
Maryland (umbc) has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,275 vs $64,144); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $14,712).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Maryland (umbc) | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #601-700 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 72.4% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.10 | — |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 32,473 |
| International students | 17% | 30% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $90K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $60K | $92K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 70% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $31,275 | $64,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $14,712 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 47% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,450 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,906 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Maryland (umbc) or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Maryland (umbc) accepts 72.4% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Maryland (umbc) or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Maryland (umbc) vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $31,275 per year at Maryland (umbc) and $64,144 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Maryland (umbc) or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1323 at Maryland (umbc) and 1553 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Maryland (umbc) or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #601-700 for Maryland (umbc) vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid — Maryland (umbc) or Rice?
The average aid package is $14,712 at Maryland (umbc) and $69,040 at Rice.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern