Rice vs Binghamton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Rice: 8% against 38.6% (Binghamton).
The larger international cohort belongs to Rice: 13% of students against 4% (Binghamton).
Real money goes to international students at Rice ($76,332 on average), while Binghamton stops at $8,377.
On paper the cheaper option is Binghamton: $30,447 against $67,497, which is $37,050 less a year.
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 38.61% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #501-600). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $81K). Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 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 Rice for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Binghamton for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 38.61% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1420).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $81K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 81.6%).
Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $67,497); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $19,288).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 38.61% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 15.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1420 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.88 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 53,007 |
| International students | 13% | 4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $53K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $114K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 81.6% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 89.5% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $67,497 | $30,447 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $19,288 |
| % of need met | 100% | 74% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $27,208 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 18,815 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Binghamton?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Binghamton accepts 38.61%.
Do Rice or Binghamton graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Binghamton?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,497 per year at Rice and $30,447 per year at Binghamton.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Binghamton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Rice and 1420 at Binghamton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rice or Binghamton?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #501-600 for Binghamton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rice or Binghamton?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $19,288 at Binghamton.
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