Rice vs. University of Richmond

Deciding between Rice University and University of Richmond? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Rice University
University of Richmond

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA
  • Setting
  • Rice Large City
  • University of Richmond Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Rice 8,961
  • University of Richmond 3,722
  • Type
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • University of Richmond Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Rice #9
  • University of Richmond #38
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Rice -
  • University of Richmond -
  • Status
  • Rice Non-profit
  • University of Richmond Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Rice
  • University of Richmond
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Rice $64,144
  • University of Richmond $65,230
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Rice $64,144
  • University of Richmond $65,230
  • Room & Board
  • Rice $18,100
  • University of Richmond $17,140
  • Average Net Price
  • Rice $23,589
  • University of Richmond $30,037
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Rice $56,199
  • University of Richmond $51,039
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Rice 56%
  • University of Richmond 56%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Rice 32,473
  • University of Richmond 16,152
  • Admitted
  • Rice 2,597
  • University of Richmond 3,585
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Rice 8%
  • University of Richmond 22.2%
  • Enrolled
  • Rice 44.2%
  • University of Richmond 23.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rice 1540
  • University of Richmond 1470
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rice 34
  • University of Richmond 34
  • Average High School GPA
  • Rice 3.96
  • University of Richmond 3.71
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Rice A
  • University of Richmond A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Rice Elite
  • University of Richmond Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • Rice Extreme
  • University of Richmond Very High
  • ACT Range
  • Rice 34/35
  • University of Richmond 33/35
  • SAT Range
  • Rice 1510/1570
  • University of Richmond 1410/1530
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Rice Test optional
  • University of Richmond Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Rice 6:1
  • University of Richmond 7:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • University of Richmond
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (5%)
    • Biology (5%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Rice 92%
  • University of Richmond 83%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Rice $86,400
  • University of Richmond $73,900
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Rice 87%
  • University of Richmond 75%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Rice $10,227
  • University of Richmond $21,148
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Rice $105
  • University of Richmond $218
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Rice 56%
  • University of Richmond 44%
  • % Women
  • Rice 44%
  • University of Richmond 56%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Rice Very High
  • University of Richmond High
  • HBCU
  • Rice No
  • University of Richmond No
  • % White
  • Rice 37%
  • University of Richmond 59%
  • % Asian
  • Rice 24%
  • University of Richmond 7%
  • % Black
  • Rice 7%
  • University of Richmond 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Rice 14%
  • University of Richmond 7%
  • % Native American
  • Rice 0%
  • University of Richmond 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Rice 0%
  • University of Richmond 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Rice 4%
  • University of Richmond 4%
  • % International
  • Rice 12%
  • University of Richmond 8%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Rice 2%
  • University of Richmond 6%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Rice 38%
  • University of Richmond 12%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Rice 46%
  • University of Richmond 77%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Rice Yes
  • University of Richmond Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Rice No
  • University of Richmond No
  • Meal Plan
  • Rice Yes
  • University of Richmond Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Rice Yes
  • University of Richmond Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Rice No
  • University of Richmond No

Comparable Facts

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

Rice University is larger than University of Richmond based on total student enrollment (8,961 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Rice University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); University of Richmond is in University of Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
  • Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Richmond is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Rice University 6:1; University of Richmond 7:1.

Rice vs. University of Richmond Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rice or University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond ($23,589 vs. $30,037).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Richmond are 5.3% lower than at Rice University ($17,140 vs. $18,100).
  • University of Richmond is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $1,086 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $64,144.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at University of Richmond than at Rice University (about $1,086 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $64,144.00).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Rice University as at University of Richmond (56% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by University of Richmond students ($56,199 vs. $51,039).

Rice vs. University of Richmond Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rice or University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond and Rice.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 70 points higher than at University of Richmond (1470).
  • Incoming Rice students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at University of Richmond (34).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 1510/1570; University of Richmond 1410/1530.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Rice University 34/35; University of Richmond 33/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rice - Test optional; University of Richmond - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at University of Richmond (3.71).
  • University of Richmond has a higher acceptance rate (22.2%) than Rice (8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 23.5% at University of Richmond.

Rice vs. University of Richmond Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rice and University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond's (83%).
  • Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than University of Richmond graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $73,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $10,921 lower median loan debt than University of Richmond graduates ($10,227 vs. $21,148).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $113 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Richmond graduates ($105 vs. $218).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Richmond students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 75%)

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.