North carolina vs Rice — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 15.3% acceptance). North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $72K). North carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($41,203 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 North carolina for: a higher world ranking, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rice for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 15.3% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1439).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $72K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 91.2%).
North carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($41,203 vs $64,144); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North carolina | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1439 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.50 | — |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 32,473 |
| International students | 9% | 30% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $90K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $69K | $92K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $41,203 | $64,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North carolina or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. North carolina accepts 15.3% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do North carolina or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at North carolina vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $41,203 per year at North carolina and $64,144 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for North carolina or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1439 at North carolina and 1553 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — North carolina or Rice?
North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North carolina vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid — North carolina or Rice?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North carolina and $69,040 at Rice.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern