Carnegie Mellon vs. Rice

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

Carnegie Mellon University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 11.7%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $35,552 at Carnegie Mellon.
  • Graduation: Carnegie Mellon 87% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Carnegie Mellon $102,700 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Carnegie Mellon University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
Carnegie Mellon11.7%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Carnegie Mellon1500-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $11,963 less
Carnegie Mellon$35,552
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $2,102 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $2,102 less
Carnegie Mellon$66,246
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +5 pts
Carnegie Mellon87%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Carnegie Mellon +$16,300
Carnegie Mellon$102,700
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Carnegie Mellon and Rice with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Carnegie Mellon Check my chances at Rice
  • Applied
  • Carnegie Mellon 33,941
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Carnegie Mellon 3,959
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 11.7%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Carnegie Mellon 45.7%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Carnegie Mellon 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Carnegie Mellon 3.89
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Carnegie Mellon A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Carnegie Mellon Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Carnegie Mellon Very High
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 1500-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Carnegie Mellon 34-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Carnegie Mellon Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Carnegie Mellon $66,246
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Carnegie Mellon $18,166
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Carnegie Mellon $35,552
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon $48,107
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Carnegie Mellon 51%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Carnegie Mellon 87%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Carnegie Mellon $102,700
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Carnegie Mellon 91%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Carnegie Mellon $26,250
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Carnegie Mellon $271
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Carnegie Mellon 5:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Carnegie Mellon
    • Engineering (26%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (14%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Business (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Carnegie Mellon Large City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Carnegie Mellon 15,888
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Carnegie Mellon Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Carnegie Mellon #45
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Carnegie Mellon University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (15,888 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Carnegie Mellon University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Carnegie Mellon University 5:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 0.4% lower than at Carnegie Mellon University ($18,100 vs. $18,166).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Carnegie Mellon than at Rice University (about $2,102 more per year; $66,246 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Carnegie Mellon University (56% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Carnegie Mellon University students ($56,199 vs. $48,107).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Carnegie Mellon students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Carnegie Mellon and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Carnegie Mellon Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Carnegie Mellon (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.7% at Carnegie Mellon vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $16,023 lower median loan debt than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($10,227 vs. $26,250).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $166 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carnegie Mellon graduates ($105 vs. $271).
  • More Carnegie Mellon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 87%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Carnegie Mellon University
Rice University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges