Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs Rice University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rice University 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 99.0% vs 97.6%.

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.