USC vs. Rice

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

University of Southern California
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 9.8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1500.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $43,412 at USC.
  • Graduation: USC 90% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: USC $85,500 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

University of Southern California Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
USC9.8%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
USC1450-1550
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $19,823 less
USC$43,412
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $7,953 less
USC$72,097
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $7,953 less
USC$72,097
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Rice +2 pts
USC90%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$900
USC$85,500
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • USC 82,027
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • USC 8,050
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • USC 9.8%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • USC 43.3%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • USC 1500
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • USC 33
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • USC 3.83
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • USC A-
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • USC Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • USC Very High
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • USC 1450-1550
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • USC 32-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • USC Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • USC
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • USC $72,097
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • USC $72,097
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • USC $19,931
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • USC $43,412
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • USC $46,897
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • USC 70%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • USC 90%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • USC $85,500
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • USC 81%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • USC $22,375
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • USC $231
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • USC 9:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • USC
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • USC Los Angeles, CA
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • USC Large City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • USC 46,566
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • USC Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • USC #37
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Southern California is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 9.2% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,100 vs. $19,931).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at USC than at Rice University (about $7,953 more per year; $72,097 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Rice University (70% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rice University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($56,199 vs. $46,897).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Rice than at USC (34 vs. 33, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both USC and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at USC (3.83).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $12,148 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($10,227 vs. $22,375).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $126 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($105 vs. $231).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 81%).

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

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