Duke vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Duke University in Durham, NC with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Duke University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Duke vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Duke 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 Duke University than Rice ($21,981 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 0.2% lower than at Duke University ($18,100 vs. $18,128).
• Duke University is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $4,614 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Duke than at Rice University (about $4,614 more per year; $68,758.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Duke University (56% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($65,522 vs. $56,199).

Duke vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Duke 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 Duke.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Duke University (1540) is the same as at Rice (1540).
• Incoming Duke 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: Duke University 1500/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Duke University 34/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Duke - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Duke (3.94).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than Duke (5.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Duke vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Duke 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).

• Duke University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Rice University's (92%).
• Graduates from Duke University earn a median of about $22,500 more per year than Rice graduates about ten years after starting college ($108,900 vs. $86,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $2,727 lower median loan debt than Rice graduates ($7,500 vs. $10,227).
• Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rice graduates ($77 vs. $105).
• More Duke 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.