Academic Comparison between WKU and Rice

Western Kentucky University and Rice University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. WKU is a four-year, public school located in Bowling Green, KY and Rice is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Houston, TX.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • WKU is a public and Rice is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Rice has more expensive tuition & fees ($61,247) than WKU ($27,000).
  • It is harder to admit to Rice than WKU.
  • Rice has a higher submitted SAT score (930) than WKU (930).
  • Rice has higher submitted ACT score (18) than WKU (18).
  • WKU has more students with 16,291 students while Rice has 8,961 students.
  • Rice has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while WKU's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Rice has more full-time faculties with 779 faculties while WKU has 637 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
WKU Rice
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Western Kentucky Universityvs.Rice University
Bowling Green, KentuckyLocationHouston, Texas
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Doctoral / Research UniversityCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$11,652
Out-Of-State$27,000
2025 Tuition & Fees$61,247
87%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$9,681Average Amount of Financial Aid$54,440
93.87 %Acceptance Rates8.00 %
30.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)44.20 %
930SAT Score1,550
18ACT Score35
56 %Graduation Rate95 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate-
78 %Retention Rate97 %
16,291Student Population8,961
637Number of Faculties779
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio6 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services
More Rivals