Rice vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Rice University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 1,440 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Rice vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or SU? 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 SU ($23,589 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 16.7% lower than at Rice University ($15,072 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SU (about $10,331 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Rice than at Southwestern University (about $10,331 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $53,813.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Rice University (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 59.8% larger than aid received by Southwestern University students ($56,199 vs. $35,162).

Rice vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 320 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Incoming Rice students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; Southwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at SU (3.5).
• SU has a higher acceptance rate (43.1%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 13.8% at SU.

Rice vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and SU? 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 Southwestern University's (73%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $29,000 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $57,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $16,666 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($10,227 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $173 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($105 vs. $278).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.