Rice vs. Stanford

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

Rice University
Stanford University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Stanford (3.6% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $25,078 at Stanford.
  • Graduation: Rice 92% vs Stanford 96%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Rice $86,400 vs Stanford $122,900 (median).
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Key differences

Rice University Stanford University
Acceptance rate
Stanford more selective
Rice8%
Stanford3.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Stanford higher
Rice1510-1570
Stanford1510-1580
Average net price
Rice $1,489 less
Rice$23,589
Stanford$25,078
In-state tuition
Rice $1,766 less
Rice$64,144
Stanford$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $1,766 less
Rice$64,144
Stanford$65,910
Graduation rate
Stanford +4 pts
Rice92%
Stanford96%
Median earnings (10 years)
Stanford +$36,500
Rice$86,400
Stanford$122,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Rice 32,473
  • Stanford 57,326
  • Admitted
  • Rice 2,597
  • Stanford 2,067
  • Acceptance rate
  • Rice 8%
  • Stanford 3.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Stanford 81.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Rice 1540
  • Stanford 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Rice 34
  • Stanford 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Rice 3.96
  • Stanford 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Rice A
  • Stanford A
  • Admissions standards
  • Rice Elite
  • Stanford Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Rice Extreme
  • Stanford Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • Stanford 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Rice 34-35
  • Stanford 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Rice Test optional
  • Stanford Required
  • Application deadline
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Stanford Jan 2, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Rice $64,144
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Rice $64,144
  • Stanford $65,910
  • Room & board
  • Rice $18,100
  • Stanford $21,315
  • Average net price
  • Rice $23,589
  • Stanford $25,078
  • Average grant aid
  • Rice $56,199
  • Stanford $62,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Rice 56%
  • Stanford 61%
  • Graduation rate
  • Rice 92%
  • Stanford 96%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Rice $86,400
  • Stanford $122,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Rice 87%
  • Stanford 88%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Rice $10,227
  • Stanford $12,475
  • Median loan payment
  • Rice $105
  • Stanford $128
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Rice 6:1
  • Stanford 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Stanford
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • General Studies (16%)
    • Engineering (15%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (5%)
  • Location
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Stanford Stanford, CA
  • Setting
  • Rice Large City
  • Stanford Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Rice 8,961
  • Stanford 18,625
  • Type
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • Stanford Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Rice #9
  • Stanford #3

Comparable Facts

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

Stanford University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (18,625 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 15.1% lower than at Stanford University ($18,100 vs. $21,315).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.8% higher at Stanford than at Rice University (about $1,766 more per year; $65,910 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Rice University (61% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 11.7% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($62,755 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Rice students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Rice, required at Stanford.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman Rice students have the same average high school GPA (3.96) as students at Stanford (3.96).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 44.2% at Rice vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $2,248 lower median loan debt than Stanford graduates ($10,227 vs. $12,475).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stanford graduates ($105 vs. $128).
  • More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (88% 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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