Rice vs Cornell - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $84,351 (Cornell) and $76,332 (Rice).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Cornell: $104K against $90K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (8% and 8.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1540.
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 8.41% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #12). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $90K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $72,270 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: higher selectivity, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
Choose Cornell for: a higher world ranking, 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 8.41% acceptance).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $90K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 94.6%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $72,270); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #12 |
| Rank · THE | - | #20 |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 8.41% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 63.9% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 65,612 |
| International students | 13% | 10.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $104K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $67K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $166K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 95.4% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $67,497 | $72,270 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $64,225 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $29,441 |
| Application fee | $75 | $80 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 26,793 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Cornell?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Cornell accepts 8.41%.
Do Rice or Cornell graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $90K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Cornell?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,497 per year at Rice and $72,270 per year at Cornell.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Cornell?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Rice and 1540 at Cornell; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rice or Cornell?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #12 for Cornell.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rice or Cornell?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $64,225 at Cornell.
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