Colgate vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Colgate University in Hamilton, 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 Colgate based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colgate University is located in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colgate University 9:1; Rice University 6:1.

Colgate vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colgate 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 Colgate ($23,589 vs. $28,736).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 2.7% lower than at Rice University ($17,610 vs. $18,100).
• Colgate University is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $6,162 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at Colgate than at Rice University (about $6,162 more per year; $70,306.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Colgate University (56% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($58,334 vs. $56,199).

Colgate vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colgate 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 Colgate.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Colgate (1490).
• Incoming Rice students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Colgate).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 1430/1540; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colgate University 33/34; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colgate - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colgate Jan 15, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Colgate (3.77).
• Colgate has a higher acceptance rate (13.9%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.7% at Colgate vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Colgate vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colgate 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 Colgate is the same as at Rice University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Colgate graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $75,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $5,898 lower median loan debt than Colgate graduates ($10,227 vs. $16,125).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colgate graduates ($105 vs. $166).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colgate students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.