UChicago vs. Rice

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

University of Chicago
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UChicago (4.5% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $28,060 at UChicago.
  • Graduation: UChicago 92% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UChicago $98,500 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

University of Chicago Rice University
Acceptance rate
UChicago more selective
UChicago4.5%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UChicago higher
UChicago1510-1580
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $4,471 less
UChicago$28,060
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $6,518 less
UChicago$70,662
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $6,518 less
UChicago$70,662
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
UChicago +0 pts
UChicago92%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
UChicago +$12,100
UChicago$98,500
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UChicago 43,612
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • UChicago 1,955
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • UChicago 4.5%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UChicago 88.3%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UChicago 1550
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • UChicago 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UChicago 3.95
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • UChicago A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • UChicago Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UChicago Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • UChicago 1510-1580
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • UChicago 34-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UChicago Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UChicago
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UChicago $70,662
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UChicago $70,662
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • UChicago $20,109
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • UChicago $28,060
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • UChicago $62,300
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UChicago 47%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • UChicago 92%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UChicago $98,500
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • UChicago 86%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UChicago $14,500
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • UChicago $149
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UChicago 5:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • UChicago
    • Social Sciences (38%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Mathematics (7%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • UChicago Chicago, IL
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • UChicago Large City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • UChicago 18,566
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • UChicago Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UChicago #6
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

University of Chicago is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (18,566 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 10% lower than at University of Chicago ($18,100 vs. $20,109).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at UChicago than at Rice University (about $6,518 more per year; $70,662 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at University of Chicago (56% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Chicago students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($62,300 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UChicago and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at UChicago (3.95).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $4,273 lower median loan debt than UChicago graduates ($10,227 vs. $14,500).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UChicago graduates ($105 vs. $149).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 86%).

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

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