Ohio State vs. Rice

Comparable Facts

Compare Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Ohio State University Main Campus is located in Columbus, OH (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1; Rice University 6:1.

Ohio State vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Ohio State or Rice? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Ohio State University Main Campus than Rice ($19,783 vs. $23,589).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio State University Main Campus are 18.6% lower than at Rice University ($14,738 vs. $18,100).
• Rice University is 384.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Ohio State (about $50,900 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $13,244.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.3% higher at Rice than at Ohio State University Main Campus (about $24,122 more per year; $64,144.00 vs. $40,022.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio State University Main Campus than at Rice University (70% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 327.3% larger than aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students ($56,199 vs. $13,151).

Ohio State vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Ohio State or Rice? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rice and Ohio State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Rice University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Ohio State (1400).
• Incoming Rice students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Ohio State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Ohio State - Required; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Ohio State Feb 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Rice students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Ohio State (3.76).
• Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than Rice (8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.8% at Ohio State vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Ohio State vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Ohio State and Rice? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Rice University's six-year graduation rate (92%) is higher than Ohio State University Main Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $35,800 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $11,273 lower median loan debt than Ohio State graduates ($10,227 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $117 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ohio State graduates ($105 vs. $222).
• More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.