Yale vs. Rice

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

Yale University
Rice University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Yale (3.9% admitted vs 8%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: Yale. Average net price is $22,408 vs $23,589 at Rice.
  • Graduation: Yale 97% vs Rice 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Yale $118,400 vs Rice $86,400 (median).
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Key differences

Yale University Rice University
Acceptance rate
Yale more selective
Yale3.9%
Rice8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Rice higher
Yale1470-1570
Rice1510-1570
Average net price
Yale $1,181 less
Yale$22,408
Rice$23,589
In-state tuition
Rice $3,106 less
Yale$67,250
Rice$64,144
Out-of-state tuition
Rice $3,106 less
Yale$67,250
Rice$64,144
Graduation rate
Yale +5 pts
Yale97%
Rice92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Yale +$32,000
Yale$118,400
Rice$86,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Yale 57,517
  • Rice 32,473
  • Admitted
  • Yale 2,227
  • Rice 2,597
  • Acceptance rate
  • Yale 3.9%
  • Rice 8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Yale 69.8%
  • Rice 44.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Yale 1520
  • Rice 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • Yale 34
  • Rice 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Yale 3.95
  • Rice 3.96
  • Typical high school grades
  • Yale A
  • Rice A
  • Admissions standards
  • Yale Elite
  • Rice Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Yale Extreme
  • Rice Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Yale 1470-1570
  • Rice 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • Yale 33-35
  • Rice 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Yale Required
  • Rice Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Yale Jan 2, 2027
  • Rice Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • Rice $64,144
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Yale $67,250
  • Rice $64,144
  • Room & board
  • Yale $19,900
  • Rice $18,100
  • Average net price
  • Yale $22,408
  • Rice $23,589
  • Average grant aid
  • Yale $65,892
  • Rice $56,199
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Yale 56%
  • Rice 56%
  • Graduation rate
  • Yale 97%
  • Rice 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Yale $118,400
  • Rice $86,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Yale 84%
  • Rice 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Yale $13,500
  • Rice $10,227
  • Median loan payment
  • Yale $139
  • Rice $105
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Yale 5:1
  • Rice 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Yale
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • History (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Biology (7%)
    • Ethnic Studies (7%)
  • Rice
    • Social Sciences (18%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Yale New Haven, CT
  • Rice Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Yale Midsize City
  • Rice Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Yale 15,564
  • Rice 8,961
  • Type
  • Yale Private 4 Year
  • Rice Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Yale #5
  • Rice #9

Comparable Facts

Compare Yale University in New Haven, CT with Rice University in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Yale University is larger than Rice based on total student enrollment (15,564 students vs. 8,961 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rice University are 9% lower than at Yale University ($18,100 vs. $19,900).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Yale than at Rice University (about $3,106 more per year; $67,250 vs. $64,144).
  • The same share of students receive grant aid at Yale University as at Rice University (56% vs. 56%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Yale University students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Rice University students ($65,892 vs. $56,199).

Admissions details

  • Incoming Yale students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Rice (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are required at Yale, test optional at Rice.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Yale Jan 2, 2027; Rice Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Rice average a 3.96 high school GPA, 0.01 higher than at Yale (3.95).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 69.8% at Yale vs. 44.2% at Rice.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rice University graduates have a $3,273 lower median loan debt than Yale graduates ($10,227 vs. $13,500).
  • Among borrowers, Rice graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Yale graduates ($105 vs. $139).
  • More Rice graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Yale students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 84%).

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

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