Head-to-Head Comparison
Rice University vs University of Connecticut
- Rice Wins
- 28
- Tied
- 13
- Connecticut Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rice University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $13,370 vs University of Connecticut's $25,097, Rice University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. 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
Rice
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,718 ten years after enrollment, 21% more than University of Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $13,370, roughly $11,727 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $11,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 8% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #47
Connecticut
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Rice graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (16% of degrees); Connecticut in Social Sciences (13%). 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 Rice University over University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $89,718 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick Rice University over University of Connecticut. Net price $13,370 vs $25,097.
Pick Rice University over University of Connecticut. THE World Rank #47 vs #251-275.
Pick University of Connecticut over Rice University. 1.7% mobility rate vs 1.6%.
Pick Rice University over University of Connecticut. 95% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rice University and University of Connecticut are close on paper, but Rice University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Rice University is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,553 to 1,348.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Rice 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 $11,727 a year below University of Connecticut's $25,097. Graduates of Rice University also borrow less: median debt of $11,000, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $46,908 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, Rice University graduates report median earnings of $89,718, compared with $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 21% advantage. Set against borrowing, Rice University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 21% 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.
Finishing the degree
Rice University graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
University of Connecticut does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at Rice University, it is 1.6%. University of Connecticut also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Connecticut 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 #251.
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 University of Connecticut if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Rice University is harder to get into, with a 8% admit rate, but University of Connecticut posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Rice University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while University of Connecticut leans toward Social Sciences, Health Professions, Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
No strong negative signals — Rice competes well across the dimensions measured.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,097 runs well above Rice University's $13,370.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,500, against $11,000 at Rice University.
- Engineering-focused students: Rice University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds Rice University's 4,776.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Test scores matter less at Connecticut, where only about 41% 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
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.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
Rankings They Appear On
Rice University is featured on the Best Colleges in Texas ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Rice's top program is Biology (16% of enrollment), while Connecticut leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rice) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rice University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of Connecticut concentrates in Health Professions, Business & Marketing. 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 Rice University or University of Connecticut?
Rice University is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, Rice University or University of Connecticut?
Rice University is more affordable, with an average net price of $13,370 after aid versus $25,097 at University of Connecticut.
Do Rice University or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
Rice University graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,718 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rice University or University of Connecticut?
Rice University has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 84%.
Rice University vs University of Connecticut: which is better for social mobility?
University of Connecticut is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 1.6%.
Should you choose Rice University or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rice University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Connecticut if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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