Princeton vs. Rice

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

Princeton University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Princeton (4.6% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Princeton. Average net price is $15,313 vs $23,589 at Rice.
  • Graduation: Princeton 96% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Princeton $113,900 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Princeton University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Princeton more selective
Princeton4.6%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Princeton higher
Princeton1510-1580
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Princeton $8,276 less
Princeton$15,313
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Princeton $1,456 less
Princeton$62,688
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Princeton $1,456 less
Princeton$62,688
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Princeton +4 pts
Princeton96%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Princeton +$27,500
Princeton$113,900
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Princeton 40,468
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Princeton 1,868
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Princeton 4.6%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Princeton 75.5%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Princeton 1550
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Princeton 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Princeton 3.93
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Princeton A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Princeton Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Princeton Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Princeton 1510-1580
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Princeton 34-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Princeton Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Princeton Jan 1, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Princeton $62,688
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Princeton $20,250
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Princeton $15,313
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Princeton $68,727
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Princeton 67%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Princeton 96%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Princeton $113,900
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Princeton 83%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Princeton $7,500
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Princeton $77
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Princeton 5:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Princeton
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • History (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Princeton Princeton, NJ
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Princeton Large Suburban
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Princeton 9,137
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Princeton Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Princeton #1
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Princeton University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (9,137 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 10.6% lower than at Princeton University ($18,100 vs. $20,250).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Rice than at Princeton University (about $1,456 more per year; $64,144 vs. $62,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Princeton University than at Rice University (67% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Princeton University students is 22.3% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($68,727 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Princeton students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Princeton and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Princeton Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Princeton (3.93).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 75.5% at Princeton vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Princeton University graduates have a $2,727 lower median loan debt than Rice graduates ($7,500 vs. $10,227).
  • Among borrowers, Princeton graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rice graduates ($77 vs. $105).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Princeton students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 83%).

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

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