Rice vs Stanford — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 8% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $90K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $65,910 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 graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
Choose Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.6% vs 8% acceptance).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $90K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 91.9%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $65,910); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($75,816 vs $69,040).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rice | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | — | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 8% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 44.2% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 32,473 | 60,646 |
| International students | 30% | 23% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $124K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $141K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $144K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 94.6% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 97.4% | 97% |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,144 | $65,910 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,040 | $75,816 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,418 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $75 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 8,961 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rice or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Rice accepts 8% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.6%.
Do Rice or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $90K.
How much is tuition at Rice vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,144 per year at Rice and $65,910 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Rice or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Rice and 1553 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Rice or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Rice vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid — Rice or Stanford?
The average aid package is $69,040 at Rice and $75,816 at Stanford.
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