Rice vs Kansas — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 93.5% 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 $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 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 93.5% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 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 $64,144); 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% | 93.5% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 25.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1190 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 22,363 |
| International students | 30% | 7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $62K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $59K |
| 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 | $64,144 | $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 93.5%.
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 $64,144 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 1553 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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