Rice vs Kansas - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Rice admits 8% of applications, Kansas admits 93.5%.
The more international environment is at Rice (13% international students) than Kansas (3.1%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Rice awards international students $76,332 on average, Kansas awards $11,164.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Rice starts at $92,262 against $47,138 and ends at $23,222 against $27,438 (Kansas).
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 93.48% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #301-400). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $62K). Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 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 Kansas 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 93.48% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1190).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $62K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 68.8%).
Kansas has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,432 vs $67,497); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $19,700).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #301-400 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 93.48% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.68 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 22,363 |
| International students | 13% | 3.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $40K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $88K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 68.8% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 86% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $67,497 | $30,432 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $19,700 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78.6% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $27,212 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 29,792 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Kansas?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Kansas accepts 93.48%.
Do Rice or Kansas graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Kansas?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,497 per year at Rice and $30,432 per year at Kansas.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Kansas?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Rice and 1190 at Kansas; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rice or Kansas?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #301-400 for Kansas.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rice or Kansas?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $19,700 at Kansas.
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