Rice University vs Duke University

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In this comparison, we will be examining two prestigious academic institutions, Rice University and Duke University, to help prospective students make informed decisions about their future education. We will analyze various aspects of each university, such as costs, admissions, academics, diversity, and outcomes.

CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Rice University Overview

Rice University, founded in 1912, is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate education and research, Rice has a diverse student body and offers a wide range of academic programs.

Rice University Costs & Tuition

The estimated cost of attendance for Rice University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $69,584, which includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other expenses. However, Rice is committed to making education affordable and offers need-based financial aid packages to eligible students, which can significantly reduce the actual cost of attendance.

Rice University Admissions

Admission to Rice University is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 11%. Rice considers various factors in its holistic admissions process, such as academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. Standardized test scores, while not required, can be submitted to strengthen an application.

Rice University Degrees Offered

Rice University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, including architecture, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences. The university is particularly known for its strong programs in engineering, computer science, and natural sciences.

Rice University Academics

Rice University is widely recognized for its rigorous academics and commitment to undergraduate education. With a student-faculty ratio of 6:1 and an average class size of 14, students at Rice benefit from close interaction with faculty and a supportive learning environment.

Rice University Diversity

Rice University is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its community. Approximately 45% of undergraduate students at Rice identify as students of color, while international students make up around 12% of the undergraduate population.

Rice University Students

There are approximately 3,992 undergraduate students and 2,882 graduate students enrolled at Rice University. The student body is known for being collaborative and engaged, with many opportunities for involvement in clubs, organizations, and research.

Rice University Campus

The Rice University campus is situated on 300 acres in the heart of Houston, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities of the city. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, libraries, and recreational spaces.

Rice University Alumni

Rice University boasts a strong alumni network, with notable graduates including former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, astronaut Peggy Whitson, and numerous successful entrepreneurs, researchers, and leaders in various fields.

Rice University Rankings

Rice University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and worldwide. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Rice is ranked 16th among national universities and 8th for undergraduate teaching.

Rice University Outcomes

Rice University graduates enjoy high levels of success in their chosen fields. According to a 2019-2020 survey, 95% of Rice alumni were employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation, with a median starting salary of $65,000.

Duke University Overview

Duke University, founded in 1838, is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. Known for its strong academic programs, research initiatives, and athletic teams, Duke offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs to a diverse student body.

Duke University Costs & Tuition

The estimated cost of attendance for Duke University for the 2021-2022 academic year is $78,608, which includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other expenses. Like Rice, Duke offers need-based financial aid packages to eligible students, which can help reduce the actual cost of attendance.

Duke University Admissions

Admission to Duke University is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 8.6%. Duke’s holistic admissions process considers factors such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and standardized test scores, which are recommended but not required for applicants.

Duke University Degrees Offered

Duke University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields, including arts and sciences, engineering, public policy, global health, and environmental sciences. The university is especially known for its programs in law, business, and medicine.

Duke University Academics

Duke University is renowned for its rigorous academics and dedication to undergraduate education. With a student-faculty ratio of 6:1 and an average class size of 18, Duke students benefit from personalized instruction and a supportive learning environment.

Duke University Diversity

Duke University is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within its community. Approximately 46% of undergraduate students at Duke identify as students of color, while international students make up around 10% of the undergraduate population.

Duke University Students

There are approximately 6,649 undergraduate students and 9,345 graduate students enrolled at Duke University. The student body is known for being highly engaged, with numerous opportunities for involvement in clubs, organizations, and research.

Duke University Campus

Duke University’s campus is located on 8,600 acres in Durham, North Carolina, offering a mix of historical and modern facilities, research centers, libraries, and recreational spaces for students to enjoy.

Duke University Alumni

Duke University’s alumni network includes notable individuals such as former U.S. President Richard Nixon, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and numerous accomplished professionals in various fields.

Duke University Rankings

In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Duke University is ranked 9th among national universities and 10th for undergraduate teaching.

Duke University Outcome

Duke University graduates enjoy high levels of success in their chosen fields. According to a 2019-2020 survey, 92% of Duke alumni were employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation, with a median starting salary of $75,000.

Rice University vs Duke University Cost Comparison

While both Rice University and Duke University have similar estimated costs of attendance, with Rice at $69,584 and Duke at $78,608, it’s important to consider the financial aid packages offered by both institutions. Both Rice and Duke provide need-based aid to eligible students, which can greatly reduce the actual cost of attendance. Prospective students should evaluate their individual financial situations and aid packages when comparing the costs of these two universities.

Rice University vs Duke University Admissions Difficulty

Admissions at both Rice University and Duke University are highly competitive, with acceptance rates of 11% and 8.6%, respectively. Both institutions use a holistic admissions process, considering factors such as academic performance, extracurricular involvement, personal qualities, and standardized test scores. While both schools are challenging to gain acceptance to, Duke’s lower acceptance rate indicates a slightly higher level of difficulty in the admissions process.

Rice University vs Duke University Academic Difficulty

Rice University and Duke University are both known for their rigorous academics and dedication to undergraduate education. Both schools have a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, allowing for personalized instruction and close interaction with faculty members. The average class size at Rice is 14, while at Duke it is 18, indicating a slightly more intimate learning environment at Rice. Both institutions offer challenging curricula and opportunities for research and academic exploration, with differences in academic difficulty likely to be minimal and based on individual factors such as major and course selection.

Rice University vs Duke University Outcome Comparison

Both Rice University and Duke University boast high levels of success for their graduates. According to recent surveys, 95% of Rice alumni and 92% of Duke alumni were employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation. Rice alumni reported a median starting salary of $65,000, while Duke alumni reported a median starting salary of $75,000. While both schools have successful outcomes for their graduates, Duke alumni appear to have slightly higher initial earning potential. However, individual outcomes will vary depending on factors such as major, industry, and geographic location.