Barnard vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Barnard College in New York, NY with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rice University is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 3,487 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Barnard College is located in New York, NY (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Barnard College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Barnard College 10:1; Rice University 6:1.

Barnard vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Barnard or Rice? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rice University than Barnard ($23,589 vs. $26,407).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 16.6% lower than at Barnard College ($18,100 vs. $21,714).
• Barnard College is 9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $5,744 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9% higher at Barnard than at Rice University (about $5,744 more per year; $69,888.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Barnard College (56% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($63,131 vs. $56,199).

Barnard vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Barnard or Rice? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rice and Barnard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Barnard (1520).
• Incoming Rice students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Barnard).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 1470/1560; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Barnard College 32/34; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Barnard - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Barnard Jan 4, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Barnard (3.85).
• Barnard has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 68.6% at Barnard vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Barnard vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Barnard and Rice? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The graduation rate at Barnard is the same as at Rice University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Barnard graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $66,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $7,620 lower median loan debt than Barnard graduates ($10,227 vs. $17,847).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Barnard graduates ($105 vs. $184).
• More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.