Rice vs Emory — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 10.7% acceptance). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $80K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $64,280 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, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Emory for: lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 10.7% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1520).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $80K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 91.1%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $64,280); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $67,329).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 10.7% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1520 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 34,614 |
| International students | 30% | 19% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $80K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $84K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 96% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $64,144 | $64,280 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Emory?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.7%.
Do Rice or Emory graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,144 per year at Rice and $64,280 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Rice and 1520 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid — Rice or Emory?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $67,329 at Emory.
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