Northwestern vs. Rice

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

Northwestern University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern (7.7% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $26,830 at Northwestern.
  • Graduation: Northwestern 94% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern $89,800 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern more selective
Northwestern7.7%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern higher
Northwestern1510-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $3,241 less
Northwestern$26,830
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $4,178 less
Northwestern$68,322
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $4,178 less
Northwestern$68,322
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Northwestern +2 pts
Northwestern94%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern +$3,400
Northwestern$89,800
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern 53%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern 94%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern 87%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern $200
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Northwestern Small City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern #15
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 14.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($18,100 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at Northwestern than at Rice University (about $4,178 more per year; $68,322 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Northwestern University (56% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($64,429 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northwestern and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Northwestern (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,151 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,378).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($105 vs. $200).
  • More Northwestern 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.

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