Rochester vs Rice - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Rice: 8% against 40.1% (Rochester).
The larger international cohort belongs to Rochester: 22.1% of students against 13% (Rice).
Average aid for an international student is $76,332 (Rice) and $41,269 (Rochester).
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Rice: $90K against $79K.
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 40.08% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#151-200 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $79K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $70,284 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 40.08% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
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 ($67,497 vs $70,284); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $60,879).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rochester | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #127 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 40.08% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.72 | - |
| Number of applications | 21,384 | 32,473 |
| International students | 22.1% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 85.4% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 90.7% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,284 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $60,879 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 96.1% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,304 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $50 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 11,946 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rochester or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Rochester accepts 40.08% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Rochester or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $79K.
How much is tuition at Rochester vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,284 per year at Rochester and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Rochester or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Rochester and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rochester or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Rochester vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rochester or Rice?
The average aid package is $60,879 at Rochester and $69,040 at Rice.
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