Rice vs North carolina — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 15.3% acceptance). North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #35). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $72K). North carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($41,203 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose North carolina for: a higher world ranking, 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 15.3% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1439).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $72K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 91.2%).
North carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($41,203 vs $64,144); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | North carolina |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #35 |
| Rank · THE | — | #70 |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 15.3% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1439 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 4.50 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 66,535 |
| International students | 30% | 9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $72K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $69K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $112K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,144 | $41,203 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $20,705 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $20,382 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 32,680 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or North carolina?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while North carolina accepts 15.3%.
Do Rice or North carolina graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs North carolina?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,144 per year at Rice and $41,203 per year at North carolina.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or North carolina?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Rice and 1439 at North carolina; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Rice or North carolina?
North carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #35 for North carolina.
Which university offers more financial aid — Rice or North carolina?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $20,705 at North carolina.
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