WUSTL vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Rice University 6:1.

WUSTL vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WUSTL 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 Washington University in St Louis than Rice ($22,408 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 17.2% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($18,100 vs. $21,854).
• Washington University in St Louis is 2.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $1,646 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at WUSTL than at Rice University (about $1,646 more per year; $65,790.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Washington University in St Louis (56% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($66,080 vs. $56,199).

WUSTL vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WUSTL 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 WUSTL .

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is the same as at Rice (1540).
• Incoming WUSTL 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: Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Washington University in St Louis 33/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WUSTL - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 44.2% at Rice.

WUSTL vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WUSTL 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).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Rice University's (92%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,673 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($105 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL 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.