Washington University 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 12.1% (Washington University).
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $92,262 and ends at $18,685 against $23,222 (Rice).
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1540.
Tuition is practically the same ($69,594 against $67,497), so financial aid, not the sticker price, will decide the cost.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 12.1% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#23 vs #101-150). Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $86K). Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $69,594 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, a larger aid package, lower graduate debt.
Choose Rice for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Rice is more selective (8% vs 12.1% acceptance).
Rice graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($90K vs $86K); Rice has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.6% vs 94.3%).
Rice has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,497 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $69,040).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Washington University | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 8% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 44.2% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | - |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 32,473 |
| International students | 9.4% | 13% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $90K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $63K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $144K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 94.6% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 97.4% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $11,000 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $67,497 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $69,040 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $28,418 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 8,961 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or Rice?
It's harder to get into Rice. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while Rice accepts 8%.
Do Washington University or Rice graduates earn more?
Rice graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $90K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs Rice?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $67,497 per year at Rice.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or Rice?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1540 at Rice; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or Rice?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #101-150 for Rice.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or Rice?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $69,040 at Rice.
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