Rice University vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
Rice University
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Higher 10yr Salary
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Most Selective
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Harder to get in
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Graduation
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
7.9%
4.7%
Avg SAT Score
1,553
1,553
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1500 – 1570
1510 – 1580
Avg ACT Score
35
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
34 – 36
34 – 36
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$12,640
$19,813
Tuition (In-State)
$58,128
$60,156
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$58,128
$60,156
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
16.1%
19.0%
Federal Loan Rate
6.2%
6.6%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$89,718
$143,372
Graduation Rate
94.7%
95.5%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
97.6%
99.0%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
4,562
4,571
Undergrad Enrollment
4,712
4,729
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

Rice University

Academics
A+
Value
C
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Academics
A+
Value
C+
Admissions
A+
Diversity
A+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

Rice University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective with a 4.7% acceptance rate compared to Rice University's 7.9%. Average SAT scores are 1553 and 1553 respectively.

Cost: Rice University offers a lower average net price at $12,640, which is $7,173 less than Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($19,813). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Massachusetts Institute of Technology earn a median salary of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, which is $53,654 more than Rice University graduates ($89,718).

Graduation: Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads with a 95.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 97.6% vs 99.0%.

Campus Size: Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the larger campus with 4,571 total students, while Rice University has 4,562.

Bottom Line: Rice University wins on affordability while Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.

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