Cornell vs. Rice

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

Cornell University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 8.8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $26,361 at Cornell.
  • Graduation: Cornell 93% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cornell $98,400 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Cornell University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
Cornell8.8%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Cornell1500-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $2,772 less
Cornell$26,361
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $5,170 less
Cornell$69,314
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $5,170 less
Cornell$69,314
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Cornell +1 pts
Cornell93%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cornell +$12,000
Cornell$98,400
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

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

Check my chances at Cornell Check my chances at Rice
  • Applied
  • Cornell 62,993
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Cornell 5,516
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cornell 8.8%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cornell 63.9%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cornell 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cornell 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cornell 3.9
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cornell A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Cornell Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Cornell Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Cornell 1500-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Cornell 33-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Cornell Required
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cornell Jan 2, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cornell $69,314
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Cornell $19,428
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Cornell $26,361
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Cornell $61,779
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cornell 48%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cornell 93%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cornell $98,400
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cornell 87%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cornell $12,000
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Cornell $124
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cornell 9:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cornell
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (12%)
    • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Cornell Ithaca, NY
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Cornell Small City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Cornell 26,793
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Cornell Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cornell #19
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 6.8% lower than at Cornell University ($18,100 vs. $19,428).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Cornell than at Rice University (about $5,170 more per year; $69,314 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Cornell University (56% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 9.9% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($61,779 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Cornell students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Cornell, test optional at Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Cornell (3.9).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $1,773 lower median loan debt than Cornell graduates ($10,227 vs. $12,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell graduates ($105 vs. $124).
  • More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (87% 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.

Cornell University
Rice University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges