Northwestern vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Rice University 6:1.

Northwestern vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern 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 Northwestern ($23,589 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 14.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($18,100 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $4,178 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Northwestern than at Rice University (about $4,178 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Northwestern University (56% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($64,429 vs. $56,199).

Northwestern vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern 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 Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is the same as at Rice (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern 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: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Northwestern (3.92).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Northwestern vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Rice University's (92%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Rice graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $86,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,151 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($105 vs. $200).
• More Northwestern 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.