Head-to-head comparison
Johns Hopkins University vs. Rice University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Johns Hopkins or Rice harder to get into?
Johns Hopkins is harder to get into than Rice. Johns Hopkins's 7.3% acceptance rate is lower than Rice's 8.0%.
Which is cheaper, Johns Hopkins or Rice?
Rice costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Rice's average net price is $13,370 vs $18,809 at Johns Hopkins.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Rice graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $87,555 at Johns Hopkins and $89,718 at Rice.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.3% | 8.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1530–1570 | 1510–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–36 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $91,710 | $79,788 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $18,809 | $13,370 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 5,318 | 4,776 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.8% | 94.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $87,555 | $89,718 |
| Setting | Baltimore, Maryland | Houston, Texas |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Johns Hopkins's 7.3% acceptance rate and Rice's 8.0% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Rice is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $5,439 per year, $21,756 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, Maryland; Rice is in Houston, Texas. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Johns Hopkins is 54.9% women, 15.2% international, and 29.4% Asian-American. Rice is 49.6% women, 12.8% international, and 29.1% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Johns Hopkins | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.9% | 49.6% |
| International | 15.2% | 12.8% |
| White | 19.5% | 25.6% |
| Asian | 29.4% | 29.1% |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 16.7% |
| Black | 8.3% | 7.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Johns Hopkins vs. Rice?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Johns Hopkins if
- its world-leading biomedical research
Pick Rice if
- Your odds are realistic at Rice (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Rice costs $5,439 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($89,718 vs $87,555)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the residential college system
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Johns Hopkins University
7.3% accept · Baltimore, Maryland
Full profile
Rice University
8.0% accept · Houston, Texas
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.