Tulane vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Tulane vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tulane 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 Tulane ($23,589 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 4.1% lower than at Tulane University of Louisiana ($18,100 vs. $18,868).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $4,534 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Tulane than at Rice University (about $4,534 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tulane University of Louisiana than at Rice University (60% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 41.7% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($56,199 vs. $39,654).

Tulane vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tulane 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 Tulane.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 80 points higher than at Tulane (1460).
• Incoming Rice students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Tulane).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Tulane - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• Tulane has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.3% at Tulane vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Tulane vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tulane 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).

• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $17,302 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($10,227 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $179 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($105 vs. $284).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 62%)

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.