Rice vs. SMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Rice University in Houston, TX with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Methodist University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (12,116 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Southern Methodist University is in Dallas, TX (Large Suburban setting).
• Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern Methodist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; Southern Methodist University 11:1.

Rice vs. SMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or SMU? 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 SMU ($23,589 vs. $48,179).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 5.1% lower than at Southern Methodist University ($18,100 vs. $19,064).
• Southern Methodist University is 4.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $2,896 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at SMU than at Rice University (about $2,896 more per year; $67,040.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Methodist University than at Rice University (67% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 49.8% larger than aid received by Southern Methodist University students ($56,199 vs. $37,520).

Rice vs. SMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rice or SMU? 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 SMU and Rice.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 120 points higher than at SMU (1420).
• Incoming Rice students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at SMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; Southern Methodist University 1340/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; Southern Methodist University 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; SMU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; SMU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at SMU (3.68).
• SMU has a higher acceptance rate (63.3%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 17.8% at SMU.

Rice vs. SMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and SMU? 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 Southern Methodist University's (75%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $13,400 more per year than SMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $73,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $11,273 lower median loan debt than SMU graduates ($10,227 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SMU graduates ($105 vs. $222).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SMU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.