Carnegie Mellon vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Rice University 6:1.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon ($23,589 vs. $35,552).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 0.4% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($18,100 vs. $18,166).
• Carnegie Mellon University is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $2,102 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Rice University (about $2,102 more per year; $66,246.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Carnegie Mellon University (56% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($56,199 vs. $48,107).

Carnegie Mellon vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Carnegie Mellon 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 Carnegie Mellon.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Carnegie Mellon University (1540) is the same as at Rice (1540).
• Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 1500/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Carnegie Mellon University 34/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Carnegie Mellon - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
• Carnegie Mellon has a higher acceptance rate (11.7%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Carnegie Mellon vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Carnegie Mellon 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).

• Rice University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Carnegie Mellon University's (87%).
• Graduates from Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of about $16,300 more per year than Rice graduates about ten years after starting college ($102,700 vs. $86,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $16,023 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($10,227 vs. $26,250).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($105 vs. $271).
• More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.