Rice vs Rochester — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 40.1% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #151-200). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $79K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $67,080 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.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 40.1% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1488).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $79K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 85.4%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $67,080); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #151-200 |
| Rank · THE | — | #127 |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 40.1% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 15.4% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1488 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.70 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 21,384 |
| International students | 30% | 37% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $79K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $74K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 85.4% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 90.7% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $21,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,144 | $67,080 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $60,879 |
| % of need met | 100% | 96.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $32,304 |
| Application fee | $75 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 11,946 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Rochester?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Rochester accepts 40.1%.
Do Rice or Rochester graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Rochester?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,144 per year at Rice and $67,080 per year at Rochester.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Rochester?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Rice and 1488 at Rochester; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Rice or Rochester?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #151-200 for Rochester.
Which university offers more financial aid — Rice or Rochester?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $60,879 at Rochester.
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