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College comparison
Northwestern vs Rice
A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.
| Metric |  Northwestern Evanston, IL |  Rice Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rateNorthwestern University is more selective | 8% | 8% |
| SAT (25–75) | 1510–1570 | 1510–1570 |
| ACT (25–75) | — | — |
| Undergrad enrollment | 9,201 | 4,776 |
| Avg net price | $29,167 | $13,370 |
| Median earnings (10 yr)Rice reports higher median earnings | $89,363 | $89,718 |
| Graduation rate | 95% | 95% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $11,000 |
| Economic mobility | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Test policy | — | — |
| Type | Private (nonprofit) | Private (nonprofit) |
Northwestern vs Rice: how they compare
Both Northwestern and Rice are private research universities with 8% acceptance rates and 95% graduation rates, but their financial propositions and campus cultures differ.
By the numbers The core quantitative difference is value and cost. While 10-year median earnings are nearly identical ($89k for Northwestern, $90k for Rice), Rice's average net price of $13k is less than half of Northwestern's $29k. This creates a disparity in AdmitQuant's value metric: Rice returns 6.7× earnings per dollar of net price, more than double Northwestern's 3.1×. Both schools show strong economic mobility (Rice 160%, Northwestern 169%). Rice demonstrates higher admit-rate volatility (38% vs. 30%) and a notable future-scholar yield of 10.9 for Science & Engineering PhDs. Northwestern holds a slightly stronger DOE financial-health score (2.2/3).
Where they overlap Both are selective, private institutions located in major city settings (Evanston/Chicago and Houston) with identical 95% graduation rates. They deliver similar early-career earnings outcomes and are known for undergraduate research and professional placement.
How they differ Culturally, the schools contrast in scale and social environment. Northwestern has a larger undergraduate population, with Greek life and Big Ten athletics. Rice is smaller, with a residential college system fostering a collaborative environment, and has less emphasis on Greek life and Division I sports. The locations—the Chicago suburbs versus central Houston—present different climates and urban experiences.
Who each suits Northwestern suits students seeking a larger university atmosphere with traditional collegiate elements like prominent sports and Greek life, who are comfortable with a higher net price for an experience near Chicago. Rice is ideal for students prioritizing financial value, a more intimate and collaborative campus culture, a strong pipeline to graduate study in STEM, and the setting of Houston.
Editorial overview — a qualitative summary of culture and fit, reviewed for accuracy. Not a ranking or a guarantee.
Quick answers
- Is Northwestern University or Rice University harder to get into?
- Northwestern University is more selective: Northwestern University's acceptance rate is approximately 8% and Rice University's is approximately 8% (estimates from public and primary sources).
- What SAT score do you need for Northwestern University vs Rice University?
- The middle-50% SAT range is 1510–1570 at Northwestern University and 1510–1570 at Rice University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.
These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.