Head-to-Head Comparison
Brown University vs Rice University
- Brown Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 14
- Rice Wins
- 21
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rice University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Brown University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 95%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $25,184 compared to Rice University's $13,370 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Rice University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Brown
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, 4% more than Rice University
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Rice
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,370, roughly $11,814 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #47
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Brown graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% of degrees); Rice in Biology & Biomedical (16%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Brown University over Rice University. Median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment vs $89,718.
Pick Rice University over Brown University. Net price $13,370 vs $25,184.
Pick Rice University over Brown University. THE World Rank #47 vs #55.
Pick Rice University over Brown University. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1.4%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Brown University and Rice University split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Brown University is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while Rice University takes 8%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,546 to 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Brown University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Rice University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $13,370, about $11,814 a year below Brown University's $25,184. Graduates of Rice University also borrow less: median debt of $11,000, against $11,428.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $47,256 before any change in aid. Choosing Rice University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Brown University graduates report median earnings of $93,487, compared with $89,718 at Rice University. That is a 4% advantage.
So what: An earnings gap of 4% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Rice University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at Brown University, it is 1.4%. Brown University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 11.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Rice University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Rice University sits higher, at #47 versus #55.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Rice University to keep costs and debt down; pick Brown University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Rice University saves about $11,814 a year, yet Brown University graduates earn $3,769 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Brown University is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but Rice University posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.6%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Brown University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while Rice University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,184 runs well above Rice University's $13,370.
- Engineering-focused students: Rice University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Brown University's enrollment of 7,226 far exceeds Rice University's 4,776.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Rice University's enrollment, and Brown University is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Brown holds onto its admits more tightly: 63% of admitted students enroll, versus 43% at Rice — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Brown (17.9% Early Decision admit rate vs 11.3%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at Rice, where only about 83% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Brown University
Providence, RI · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, Brown University in Providence, RI, is a selective option that attracts students driven to excel academically and personally. It’s a place for those who thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to dive into programs like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Mathematics, and Engineering. The high graduation rate of 96% speaks to the strong support system in place, making it a solid choice for ambitious students.
After graduation, Brown alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $93,487 ten years post-graduation. This financial trajectory suggests that graduates are not just securing jobs, but often moving into roles that reward their hard work. While this school may come with a price tag, the outcomes reflect a community that values education and shapes successful careers.
When it comes to the finances, the net price after aid stands at $25,184, and the median debt is relatively manageable at $11,428. This is encouraging, especially for students who may be concerned about student loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated and ready to engage deeply with their studies, taking full advantage of the opportunities that come their way.
Rice University
Houston, TX · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 8%, Rice University attracts driven students who are eager to excel academically and socially. This private nonprofit institution in Houston is ideal for those interested in fields like Engineering, Biology, Computer Science, and Mathematics. The strong graduation rate of 95% speaks volumes about the supportive environment here, where students are encouraged to dive deep into their studies and collaborate across disciplines.
Graduates from Rice see impressive earnings, with a median salary of $89,718 just ten years after finishing their degree. This figure is significant because it highlights the school's effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers. While 17% of students rely on Pell Grants, the overall affordability of education here, combined with the strong salary potential, makes it a viable option for many.
When it comes to the practical side of things, the net price after aid is around $13,370, and the median debt for graduates is relatively low at $11,000. These numbers suggest that students can graduate with manageable debt, which is a big plus in today’s economy. Those who thrive here are often collaborative, ambitious, and ready to engage with a diverse community, making the most of the excellent academic resources available to them.
Rankings They Appear On
Brown University is featured on the Best Colleges in Rhode Island ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Brown's top program is Sociology (25% of enrollment), while Rice leads with Biology (16%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Brown) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rice).
The two schools feed different job markets. Brown University is strongest in Mathematics & Statistics, while Rice University concentrates in Engineering. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Brown University or Rice University?
Brown University is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 8% at Rice University.
Which is more affordable, Brown University or Rice University?
Rice University is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,370 after aid versus $25,184 at Brown University.
Do Brown University or Rice University graduates earn more?
Brown University graduates earn more: median earnings of $93,487 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,718 at Rice University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Brown University or Rice University?
Brown University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Brown University vs Rice University: which is better for social mobility?
Rice University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1.4%.
Should you choose Brown University or Rice University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rice University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Brown University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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