Yale vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Yale University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 8,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Yale vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Yale 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 Yale University than Rice ($22,408 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 9% lower than at Yale University ($18,100 vs. $19,900).
• Yale University is 4.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $3,106 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Yale than at Rice University (about $3,106 more per year; $67,250.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Yale University as at Rice University (56% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($65,892 vs. $56,199).

Yale vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Yale 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 Yale.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 20 points higher than at Yale (1520).
• Incoming Yale 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: Yale University 1470/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Yale University 33/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Yale - Required; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Rice students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Yale (3.95).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than Yale (3.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Yale vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Yale 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).

• Yale University's six-year graduation rate (97%) is higher than Rice University's (92%).
• Graduates from Yale University earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than Rice graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,400 vs. $86,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $3,273 lower median loan debt than Yale graduates ($10,227 vs. $13,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Yale graduates ($105 vs. $139).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 84%)

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.