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College Comparison

Boston University vs Rice University: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Boston University

Boston, MA

School

Rice University

Houston, TX

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricBoston UniversityRice
Acceptance Rate10.8%7.9%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1400–15201500–1570wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–3434–36wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,168$58,128wins
Avg Net Price$26,996$12,640wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$83,238$89,718wins
Graduation Rate90.0%95.7%wins
Retention Rate94.5%97.6%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio10:16:1wins
Total Enrollment17,850wins4,562

Verdict

Based on the data above, Rice edges out Boston University on 9 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Boston University Strengths

  • Total Enrollment: 17,850

Rice Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 7.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–36
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $58,128

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