Head-to-head comparison
Northwestern University vs. Rice University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Northwestern or Rice harder to get into?
Northwestern is harder to get into than Rice. Northwestern's 7.2% acceptance rate is lower than Rice's 8.0%.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern or Rice?
Rice costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Rice's average net price is $13,370 vs $29,167 at Northwestern.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Rice graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $89,363 at Northwestern and $89,718 at Rice.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Northwestern | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.2% | 8.0% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1560 | 1510–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,304 | $79,788 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,167 | $13,370 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,848 | 4,776 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.1% | 94.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $89,363 | $89,718 |
| Setting | Evanston, Illinois | 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. Northwestern's 7.2% 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 $15,797 per year, $63,188 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Northwestern is substantially larger with 8,848 undergrads vs 4,776 at Rice. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Northwestern is in Evanston, Illinois; 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. Northwestern is 54.3% women, 11.6% international, and 21.2% Asian-American. Rice is 49.6% women, 12.8% international, and 29.1% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Northwestern | Rice |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.3% | 49.6% |
| International | 11.6% | 12.8% |
| White | 30.6% | 25.6% |
| Asian | 21.2% | 29.1% |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 16.7% |
| Black | 8.4% | 7.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Northwestern vs. Rice?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Northwestern if
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the quarter system
Pick Rice if
- Your odds are realistic at Rice (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Rice costs $15,797 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($89,718 vs $89,363)
- 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
Northwestern University
7.2% accept · Evanston, Illinois
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.