Notre Dame vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

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

University of Notre Dame is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (13,042 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Notre Dame is located in Notre Dame, IN (Rural Fringe setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Notre Dame is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Notre Dame 8:1; Rice University 6:1.

Notre Dame vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame ($23,589 vs. $29,300).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Notre Dame are 1.1% lower than at Rice University ($17,900 vs. $18,100).
• University of Notre Dame is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $881 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at Notre Dame than at Rice University (about $881 more per year; $65,025.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Notre Dame than at Rice University (61% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by University of Notre Dame students ($56,199 vs. $53,971).

Notre Dame vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Notre Dame (1510).
• Incoming Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame 1455/1560; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Notre Dame 33/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Notre Dame - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame (3.91).
• Notre Dame has a higher acceptance rate (11.3%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.7% at Notre Dame vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Notre Dame vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Notre Dame 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).

• University of Notre Dame's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Rice University's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Notre Dame earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Rice graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $86,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $11,273 lower median loan debt than Notre Dame graduates ($10,227 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Notre Dame graduates ($105 vs. $222).
• More Notre Dame graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.