Duke vs. Rice

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

Duke University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Duke (5.7% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Duke. Average net price is $21,981 vs $23,589 at Rice.
  • Graduation: Duke 94% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Duke $108,900 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Duke University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Duke more selective
Duke5.7%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Duke1500-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Duke $1,608 less
Duke$21,981
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $4,614 less
Duke$68,758
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $4,614 less
Duke$68,758
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Duke +2 pts
Duke94%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Duke +$22,500
Duke$108,900
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Duke 51,795
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Duke 2,957
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Duke 5.7%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Duke 58.8%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Duke 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Duke 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Duke 3.94
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Duke A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Duke Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Duke Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Duke 1500-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Duke 34-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Duke Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Duke Jan 3, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Duke $68,758
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Duke $68,758
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Duke $18,128
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Duke $21,981
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Duke $65,522
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Duke 43%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Duke 94%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Duke $108,900
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Duke 89%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Duke $7,500
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Duke $77
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Duke 5:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Duke
    • Social Sciences (24%)
    • Engineering (16%)
    • Human Services (10%)
    • Biology (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Duke Durham, NC
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Duke Midsize City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Duke 17,499
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Duke Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Duke #2
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Duke University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (17,499 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 0.2% lower than at Duke University ($18,100 vs. $18,128).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Duke than at Rice University (about $4,614 more per year; $68,758 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Duke University (56% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Duke University students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($65,522 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Duke students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Duke and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Duke Jan 3, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at Duke (3.94).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 58.8% at Duke vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Duke University graduates have a $2,727 lower median loan debt than Rice graduates ($7,500 vs. $10,227).
  • Among borrowers, Duke graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rice graduates ($77 vs. $105).
  • More Duke 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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