Baylor vs. Rice

Baylor University and Rice University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Baylor University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $47,001 at Baylor.
  • Graduation: Baylor 72% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Baylor $56,200 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Baylor University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
Baylor51.3%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Baylor1200-1400
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $23,412 less
Baylor$47,001
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Baylor $6,044 less
Baylor$58,100
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Baylor $6,044 less
Baylor$58,100
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +20 pts
Baylor72%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$30,200
Baylor$56,200
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Baylor 46,946
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Baylor 24,075
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Baylor 51.3%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Baylor 14.2%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Baylor 1300
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Baylor 29
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Baylor 3.74
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Baylor A-
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Baylor Very High
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Baylor Low
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Baylor 1200-1400
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Baylor 27-32
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Baylor Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Baylor Feb 1, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Baylor $15,314
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Baylor $47,001
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Baylor $27,232
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Baylor 98%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Baylor 72%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Baylor $56,200
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Baylor 73%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Baylor $25,000
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Baylor $258
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Baylor 15:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Baylor
    • Business (28%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Baylor Waco, TX
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Baylor Midsize City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Baylor 20,626
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Baylor Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Baylor #167
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare Baylor University in Waco, TX with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Baylor University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (20,626 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Baylor University is located in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Baylor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Baylor University 15:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Baylor University are 15.4% lower than at Rice University ($15,314 vs. $18,100).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Rice than at Baylor University (about $6,044 more per year; $64,144 vs. $58,100).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baylor University than at Rice University (98% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 106.4% larger than aid received by Baylor University students ($56,199 vs. $27,232).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at Rice than at Baylor (34 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Baylor and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Baylor Feb 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Baylor (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Baylor vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $14,773 lower median loan debt than Baylor graduates ($10,227 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $153 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baylor graduates ($105 vs. $258).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baylor students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 73%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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