Head-to-head comparison
Rice University vs. University of Southern California
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Rice or USC harder to get into?
Rice is harder to get into than USC. Rice's 8.0% acceptance rate is lower than USC's 9.8%.
Which is cheaper, Rice or USC?
Rice costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Rice's average net price is $13,370 vs $32,740 at USC.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
USC graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $89,718 at Rice and $92,498 at USC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Rice | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 8.0% | 9.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1510–1570 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $79,788 | $90,300 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $13,370 | $32,740 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 4,776 | 20,443 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.6% | 91.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $89,718 | $92,498 |
| Setting | Houston, Texas | Los Angeles, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Rice is modestly harder to get into. The 1.8-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Rice is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $19,370 per year, $77,480 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
USC is substantially larger with 20,443 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. Rice is in Houston, Texas; USC is in Los Angeles, California. 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. Rice is 49.6% women, 12.8% international, and 29.1% Asian-American. USC is 52.2% women, 13.3% international, and 23.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Rice | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.6% | 52.2% |
| International | 12.8% | 13.3% |
| White | 25.6% | 25.5% |
| Asian | 29.1% | 23.3% |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 20.0% |
| Black | 7.9% | 7.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Rice vs. USC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Rice if
- Net price matters: Rice costs $19,370 less per year on average
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the residential college system
Pick USC if
- Your odds are realistic at USC (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($92,498 vs $89,718)
- the Iovine and Young Academy
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
Rice University
8.0% accept · Houston, Texas
Full profile
University of Southern California
9.8% accept · Los Angeles, California
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.