Vanderbilt vs. Rice vs. Duke

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 table 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.

Vanderbilt vs. Rice Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Vanderbilt or Rice? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rice University than Vanderbilt ($23,589 vs. $25,186).
• 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).
• Vanderbilt University is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rice (about $3,354 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Vanderbilt than at Rice University (about $3,354 more per year; $67,498.00 vs. $64,144.00).
• 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).

Vanderbilt vs. Rice Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Vanderbilt or Rice? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rice and Vanderbilt.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Vanderbilt University (1540) is the same as at Rice (1540).
• Incoming Vanderbilt students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Vanderbilt University 1500/1570; Rice University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Vanderbilt University 34/35; Rice University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Vanderbilt - Test optional; Rice - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Rice students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Rice has a higher acceptance rate (8%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 61.2% at Vanderbilt vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Vanderbilt vs. Rice Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Vanderbilt and Rice? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• The graduation rate at Vanderbilt is the same as at Rice University (92% vs. 92%).
• Graduates from Rice University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($86,400 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.