Maryland (UMBC) vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Maryland (UMBC) accepts most of the applications it receives (72.4%), while Rice turns away the overwhelming majority (8%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Rice: 13% of students against 4.8% (Maryland (UMBC)).
Real money goes to international students at Rice ($76,332 on average), while Maryland (UMBC) stops at $13,080.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Rice lists $92,262 against $54,581 (Maryland (UMBC)), but after average aid what remains is $23,222 against $39,869.
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
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 72.43% 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 ($32,735 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 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 72.43% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 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 ($32,735 vs $67,497); 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 | 72.43% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 21.6% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1323 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.13 | - |
| Number of applications | 14,325 | 32,473 |
| International students | 4.8% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $45K | $63K |
| 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 | $32,735 | $67,497 |
| 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 72.43% 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 $32,735 per year at Maryland (UMBC) and $67,497 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 1540 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.
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