Virginia vs Rice — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Rice is the more selective of the two (8% vs 16.8% acceptance). Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $87K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 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 Virginia for: a higher graduation rate, higher retention, lower tuition.
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 16.8% acceptance); Rice has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1480).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $87K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 94.6%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($59,512 vs $64,144); Rice offers a larger average aid package ($69,040 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Virginia | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 16.8% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1480 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 32,473 |
| International students | 12% | 30% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $90K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $79K | $92K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $59,512 | $64,144 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Virginia accepts 16.8% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Virginia or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $87K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $59,512 per year at Virginia and $64,144 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1480 at Virginia and 1553 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Virginia or Rice?
Rice ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid — Virginia or Rice?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $69,040 at Rice.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern