WUSTL vs. Rice

Washington University in St Louis and Rice University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Washington University in St Louis
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Rice (8% admitted vs 12.1%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: WUSTL . Average net price is $22,408 vs $23,589 at Rice.
  • Graduation: WUSTL 93% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: WUSTL $82,800 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Washington University in St Louis Rice University
Acceptance rate
Rice more selective
WUSTL 12.1%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
WUSTL 1500-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
WUSTL $1,181 less
WUSTL $22,408
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $1,646 less
WUSTL $65,790
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $1,646 less
WUSTL $65,790
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
WUSTL +1 pts
WUSTL 93%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Rice +$3,600
WUSTL $82,800
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • WUSTL 32,754
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • WUSTL 3,951
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • WUSTL 12.1%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • WUSTL 46.7%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • WUSTL 1540
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • WUSTL 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • WUSTL 3.92
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • WUSTL A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • WUSTL Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • WUSTL Very High
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • WUSTL 1500-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • WUSTL 33-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • WUSTL Test optional
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • WUSTL Jan 4, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • WUSTL $65,790
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • WUSTL $21,854
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • WUSTL $22,408
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • WUSTL $66,080
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • WUSTL 49%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • WUSTL 93%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • WUSTL $82,800
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • WUSTL 88%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • WUSTL $19,900
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • WUSTL $205
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • WUSTL 7:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • WUSTL
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • WUSTL St. Louis, MO
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • WUSTL Large Suburban
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • WUSTL 16,357
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • WUSTL Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • WUSTL #21
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Washington University in St Louis is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (16,357 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Washington University in St Louis is located in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting); Rice University is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rice University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Washington University in St Louis 7:1; Rice University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 17.2% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($18,100 vs. $21,854).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 2.6% higher at WUSTL than at Rice University (about $1,646 more per year; $65,790 vs. $64,144).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rice University than at Washington University in St Louis (56% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 17.6% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($66,080 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming WUSTL students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both WUSTL and Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at WUSTL (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at WUSTL vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $9,673 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($10,227 vs. $19,900).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($105 vs. $205).
  • More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rice students, three years after graduation (88% 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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