U of R vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

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

University of Rochester is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Rochester is located in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Rochester 9:1; Rice University 6:1.

U of R vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of R 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 U of R ($23,589 vs. $40,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 8.5% lower than at University of Rochester ($18,100 vs. $19,792).
• University of Rochester is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $2,936 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.6% higher at U of R than at Rice University (about $2,936 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Rice University (72% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 23.5% larger than aid received by University of Rochester students ($56,199 vs. $45,500).

U of R vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of R 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 U of R.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 60 points higher than at U of R (1480).
• Incoming Rice students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at U of R).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 1410/1540; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Rochester 31/34; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of R - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: U of R Jan 5, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at U of R (3.75).
• U of R has a higher acceptance rate (40.1%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.4% at U of R vs. 44.2% at Rice.

U of R vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of R 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 University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $14,273 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($10,227 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $148 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($105 vs. $253).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.