Grinnell vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rice University is larger than Grinnell based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 1,788 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Grinnell vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Grinnell 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 Grinnell ($23,589 vs. $34,363).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Grinnell College are 7% lower than at Rice University ($16,842 vs. $18,100).
• Grinnell College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $3,962 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.2% higher at Grinnell than at Rice University (about $3,962 more per year; $68,106.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Grinnell College than at Rice University (94% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Grinnell College students ($56,199 vs. $49,077).

Grinnell vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Grinnell 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 Grinnell.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 60 points higher than at Grinnell (1480).
• Incoming Rice students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Grinnell).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 1410/1540; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Grinnell College 31/34; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Grinnell - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Grinnell Jan 15, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Grinnell (3.89).
• Grinnell has a higher acceptance rate (14.5%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 30.9% at Grinnell vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Grinnell vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Grinnell 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 Grinnell College's (88%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $26,900 more per year than Grinnell graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $59,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $2,943 lower median loan debt than Grinnell graduates ($10,227 vs. $13,170).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Grinnell graduates ($105 vs. $136).
• More Grinnell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.