Vanderbilt vs. Rice

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

Vanderbilt University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Vanderbilt (5.9% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Rice. Average net price is $23,589 vs $25,186 at Vanderbilt.
  • Graduation: Vanderbilt 92% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Vanderbilt $83,100 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Vanderbilt University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Vanderbilt more selective
Vanderbilt5.9%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Vanderbilt1500-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Rice $1,597 less
Vanderbilt$25,186
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $3,354 less
Vanderbilt$67,498
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $3,354 less
Vanderbilt$67,498
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Vanderbilt +0 pts
Vanderbilt92%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$3,300
Vanderbilt$83,100
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Vanderbilt 45,409
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Vanderbilt 2,662
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Vanderbilt 5.9%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Vanderbilt 61.2%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Vanderbilt 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Vanderbilt 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Vanderbilt 3.89
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Vanderbilt A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Vanderbilt Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Vanderbilt Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Vanderbilt 1500-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Vanderbilt 34-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Vanderbilt Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Vanderbilt $67,498
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Vanderbilt $22,054
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Vanderbilt $25,186
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Vanderbilt $64,404
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Vanderbilt 67%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Vanderbilt 92%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Vanderbilt $83,100
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Vanderbilt 83%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Vanderbilt $14,000
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Vanderbilt $144
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Vanderbilt 8:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Vanderbilt
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • Engineering (13%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Vanderbilt Nashville, TN
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Vanderbilt Large City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Vanderbilt 13,575
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Vanderbilt Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Vanderbilt #16
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

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

Vanderbilt University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (13,575 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, TN (Large City setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Vanderbilt University 8:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 17.9% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($18,100 vs. $22,054).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Vanderbilt than at Rice University (about $3,354 more per year; $67,498 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Rice University (67% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Vanderbilt University students is 14.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($64,404 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Vanderbilt students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Vanderbilt and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Vanderbilt (3.89).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Vanderbilt vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $3,773 lower median loan debt than Vanderbilt graduates ($10,227 vs. $14,000).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vanderbilt graduates ($105 vs. $144).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt 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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