Wake Forest vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Wake Forest University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (9,322 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Wake Forest University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wake Forest University 10:1; Rice University 6:1.

Wake Forest vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest ($23,589 vs. $24,401).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 2.1% lower than at Wake Forest University ($18,100 vs. $18,494).
• Wake Forest University is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $3,498 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at Wake Forest than at Rice University (about $3,498 more per year; $67,642.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Wake Forest University (56% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wake Forest University students is 12.3% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($63,117 vs. $56,199).

Wake Forest vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Wake Forest (1470).
• Incoming Rice students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Wake Forest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 1410/1520; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wake Forest University 32/34; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wake Forest - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wake Forest Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Wake Forest has a higher acceptance rate (21.7%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 36.1% at Wake Forest vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Wake Forest vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University's (88%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Wake Forest graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $77,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $12,773 lower median loan debt than Wake Forest graduates ($10,227 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wake Forest graduates ($105 vs. $237).
• More Wake Forest graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.