Tufts vs Rice — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 11.5% 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 $83K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $70,704 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 Tufts for: 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 11.5% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1513).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $83K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 93.5%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,144 vs $70,704); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $59,574).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Tufts | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #151-200 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #179 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 11.5% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1513 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 34,432 | 32,473 |
| International students | 17% | 30% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $90K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $103K | $92K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 93.5% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.5% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $16,250 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,704 | $64,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $59,574 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,584 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | — | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,599 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Tufts or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Tufts accepts 11.5% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Tufts or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Tufts vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,704 per year at Tufts and $64,144 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Tufts or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1513 at Tufts and 1553 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Tufts or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #151-200 for Tufts vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid — Tufts or Rice?
The average aid package is $59,574 at Tufts and $69,040 at Rice.
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