Head-to-Head Comparison
Duke University vs Rice University
- Duke Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 12
- Rice Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rice University offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 95%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 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
Duke
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, 9% more than Rice University
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #24
Rice
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,370, roughly $16,242 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
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Duke graduates concentrate in Engineering (15% 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 Duke University over Rice University. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment vs $89,718.
Pick Rice University over Duke University. Net price $13,370 vs $29,612.
Pick Duke University over Rice University. THE World Rank #24 vs #47.
Pick Rice University over Duke University. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Duke 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
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while Rice University takes 8%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,548 to 1,553.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Duke 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 $16,242 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Rice University also borrow less: median debt of $11,000, against $13,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $64,968 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, Duke University graduates report median earnings of $97,800, compared with $89,718 at Rice University. That is a 9% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rice University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.13x.
So what: An earnings gap of 9% 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 Duke University, it is 1.6%. Rice University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.3% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.2%.
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, Duke University sits higher, at #24 versus #47.
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 Duke 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 $16,242 a year, yet Duke University graduates earn $8,082 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Duke University is harder to get into, with a 6% 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. Duke University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while Rice University leans toward Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,612 runs well above Rice University's $13,370.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $13,000, against $11,000 at Rice University.
No strong negative signals — Rice competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Duke (17.3% Early Decision admit rate vs 11.3%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
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
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.
On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.
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
Duke University is featured on the Best Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Duke's top program is Mechanical Engineering (15% 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 Duke) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rice).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Duke University or Rice University?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 8% at Rice University.
Which is more affordable, Duke University or Rice University?
Rice University is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,370 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do Duke University or Rice University graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, versus $89,718 at Rice University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Duke University or Rice University?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 95%.
Duke 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 1.6%.
Should you choose Duke University or Rice University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rice University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Duke 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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