Stony brook vs Rice — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 49% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $75K). Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 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 Stony brook for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 49% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1419).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $75K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 75.6%).
Stony brook has lower sticker-price tuition ($32,741 vs $64,144); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $15,261).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Stony brook | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 49% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 14.7% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1419 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 55,880 | 32,473 |
| International students | 18% | 30% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $90K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $92K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $107K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 75.6% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 89.7% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $18,228 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $32,741 | $64,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,261 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 0.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $23,558 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $0 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,689 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Stony brook or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Stony brook accepts 49% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Stony brook or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Stony brook vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $32,741 per year at Stony brook and $64,144 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Stony brook or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1419 at Stony brook and 1553 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Stony brook or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Stony brook vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid — Stony brook or Rice?
The average aid package is $15,261 at Stony brook and $69,040 at Rice.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern