Brown vs. Rice

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

Brown University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brown (5.4% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $26,256 at Brown.
  • Graduation: Brown 95% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brown $87,600 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Brown University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Brown more selective
Brown5.4%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brown higher
Brown1510-1580
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $2,667 less
Brown$26,256
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $7,268 less
Brown$71,412
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $7,268 less
Brown$71,412
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Brown +3 pts
Brown95%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brown +$1,200
Brown$87,600
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brown 48,904
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Brown 2,638
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brown 5.4%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brown 65.2%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brown 1550
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brown 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brown 3.94
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brown A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Brown Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Brown Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Brown 1510-1580
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Brown 34-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Brown Required
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Brown Jan 5, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brown $71,412
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brown $71,412
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Brown $17,444
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Brown $26,256
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Brown $61,392
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brown 52%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brown 95%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brown $87,600
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brown 89%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brown $15,000
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Brown $155
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brown 6:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brown
    • Social Sciences (28%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • English and Literature (6%)
    • General Studies (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Brown Providence, RI
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Brown Midsize City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brown 11,956
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Brown Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brown #11
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Brown University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (11,956 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brown University are 3.6% lower than at Rice University ($17,444 vs. $18,100).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 11.3% higher at Brown than at Rice University (about $7,268 more per year; $71,412 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Brown University (56% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brown University students is 9.2% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($61,392 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Brown students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Brown, test optional at Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Brown Jan 5, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Brown (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 65.2% at Brown vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $4,773 lower median loan debt than Brown graduates ($10,227 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brown graduates ($105 vs. $155).
  • More Brown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (89% vs. 87%).

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

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