Tufts vs. Rice

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

Tufts University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 11.5%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1520.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $32,367 at Tufts.
  • Graduation: Tufts 90% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Tufts $83,100 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Tufts University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
Tufts11.5%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Tufts1470-1560
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $8,778 less
Tufts$32,367
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $6,560 less
Tufts$70,704
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $6,560 less
Tufts$70,704
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +2 pts
Tufts90%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$3,300
Tufts$83,100
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Tufts 34,432
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Tufts 3,957
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Tufts 11.5%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Tufts 45.5%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Tufts 1520
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Tufts 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Tufts 3.91
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Tufts A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Tufts Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Tufts Very High
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Tufts 1470-1560
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Tufts 33-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Tufts Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Tufts Jan 1, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Tufts $70,704
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Tufts $18,588
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Tufts $32,367
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Tufts $55,933
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Tufts 39%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Tufts 90%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Tufts $83,100
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Tufts 91%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Tufts $18,000
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Tufts $186
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Tufts 10:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Tufts
    • Social Sciences (31%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Tufts Medford, MA
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Tufts Large Suburban
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Tufts 13,599
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Tufts Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Tufts #33
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Tufts University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (13,599 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Tufts University is located in Medford, MA (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Tufts University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Tufts University 10:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 2.6% lower than at Tufts University ($18,100 vs. $18,588).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at Tufts than at Rice University (about $6,560 more per year; $70,704 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Tufts University (56% vs. 39%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Tufts University students ($56,199 vs. $55,933).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Tufts students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Tufts and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Tufts Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Tufts (3.91).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at Tufts vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $7,773 lower median loan debt than Tufts graduates ($10,227 vs. $18,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $81 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tufts graduates ($105 vs. $186).
  • More Tufts graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (91% 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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