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College Comparison

WashU (St. Louis) 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

WashU (St. Louis)

St. Louis, MO

School

Rice University

Houston, TX

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricWashURice
Acceptance Rate12.0%7.9%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–15701500–1570
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–3534–36wins
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,982$58,128wins
Avg Net Price$22,117$12,640wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,182$89,718wins
Graduation Rate94.5%95.7%wins
Retention Rate95.9%97.6%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio7:16:1wins
Total Enrollment7,897wins4,562

Verdict

Based on the data above, Rice edges out WashU on 8 of 9 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.

WashU Strengths

  • Total Enrollment: 7,897

Rice Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 7.9%
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 34–36
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $58,128
  • Avg Net Price: $12,640

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