Tufts vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Rice University 6:1.

Tufts vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tufts 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 Tufts ($23,589 vs. $32,367).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 2.6% lower than at Tufts University ($18,100 vs. $18,588).
• Tufts University is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $6,560 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Tufts than at Rice University (about $6,560 more per year; $70,704.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Tufts University (56% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($56,199 vs. $55,933).

Tufts vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tufts 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 Tufts.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Tufts (1520).
• Incoming Tufts 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: Tufts University 1470/1560; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tufts University 33/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tufts - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Tufts (3.91).
• Tufts has a higher acceptance rate (11.5%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Tufts vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tufts 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 Tufts University's (90%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Tufts graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $7,773 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($10,227 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($105 vs. $186).
• More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.