UChicago vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Rice University 6:1.

UChicago vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago 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 UChicago ($23,589 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 10% lower than at University of Chicago ($18,100 vs. $20,109).
• University of Chicago is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $6,518 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at UChicago than at Rice University (about $6,518 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at University of Chicago (56% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($62,300 vs. $56,199).

UChicago vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UChicago 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 UChicago.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 10 points higher than at Rice (1540).
• Incoming UChicago 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: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UChicago (3.95).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 44.2% at Rice.

UChicago vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago 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).

• The graduation rate at UChicago is the same as at Rice University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Rice graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $86,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $4,273 lower median loan debt than UChicago graduates ($10,227 vs. $14,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UChicago graduates ($105 vs. $149).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.