Head-to-head comparison
Rice University vs. Washington University in St. Louis
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Rice or WashU harder to get into?
Rice is harder to get into than WashU. Rice's 8.0% acceptance rate is lower than WashU's 12.1%.
Which is cheaper, Rice or WashU?
Rice costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Rice's average net price is $13,370 vs $21,786 at WashU.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Rice graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $89,718 at Rice and $86,182 at WashU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Rice | WashU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 8.0% | 12.1% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1510–1570 | 1500–1570 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 33–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $79,788 | $91,290 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $13,370 | $21,786 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 4,776 | 8,132 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.6% | 94.3% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $89,718 | $86,182 |
| Setting | Houston, Texas | St. Louis, Missouri |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Rice is meaningfully harder to get into. A 4.1-percentage-point gap between 8.0% (Rice) and 12.1% (WashU) reflects real selectivity differences. WashU is the more realistic target for a balanced college list.
Rice is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $8,416 per year, $33,664 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
WashU is substantially larger with 8,132 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; WashU is in St. Louis, Missouri. 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. WashU is 54.5% women, 9.0% international, and 20.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Rice | WashU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 49.6% | 54.5% |
| International | 12.8% | 9.0% |
| White | 25.6% | 39.7% |
| Asian | 29.1% | 20.9% |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Black | 7.9% | 8.7% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Rice vs. WashU?
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 $8,416 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($89,718 vs $86,182)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the residential college system
Pick WashU if
- Your odds are realistic at WashU (slightly easier admit)
- flexibility to pursue multiple majors across schools
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
Washington University in St. Louis
12.1% accept · St. Louis, Missouri
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.