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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Admissions are highly competitive with Vanderbilt's acceptance rate of around 6-7%. It is a mid-sized university with around 7,000-8,000 undergraduate students. The most sought-after courses at Vanderbilt are Social Sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Education, and Business. The graduation rate within six years stands at around 93%, and the median earnings of alumni are around USD 83,100 (INR ~69,00,000) ten years post-graduation.
Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Admissions are highly selective, with Rice's acceptance rate being approximately 8-9%. It is a small university with around 4,500-5,000 undergraduate students. Engineering, Biology/Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts, and Business are the most sought-after courses at Rice. The six-year graduation rate stands at approximately 92%, and alumni cite median earnings of around USD 86,400 (INR ~71,00,000) ten years post-graduation.
| Vanderbilt University | Rice University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.7 Out of 10 | 5.7 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 92 Times Higher Education 2026 # 250 QS World University 2026 # 56 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 103 Times Higher Education 2026 # 119 QS World University 2026 # 39 Financial Times 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 39 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 70 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 14 for Law by US News 2025 | # 89 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -49 PG Programs -45 | UG Programs -45 PG Programs -26 Doctorate Programs -3 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6.3 % | 7.9 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-670 IELTS-7 SAT-1440 TOEFL-89 | Duolingo-130 GMAT-680 IELTS-7 SAT-1490 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 52780 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35475 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 11540 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 50310 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 51500 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24200 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Graduate Employability ranks: #201-250 | THE Global University Employability Rankings- #56; Average salary- 82,883 USD; Top recruiters: Microsoft Corp, IB Corp, Baylor College of Medicine, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., Intel Corporation; Highest paying degrees- MBA (132,000 USD), Bachelor of Arts (93,000 USD), Bachelor of Science (81,000 USD). |
| application requirements | Counselor LOR along with 2 academic LORs. CSS profile. Optional alumni interviews may be conducted. | Academic transcripts; School report (counsellor recommendation); 2 teacher recommendations; 2-3 LORs; Resume; SOPs/ Essays; Proof of English language proficiency; Standardized test scores; Additional Requirements (Work experience, Interview (upon invitation), Portfolio, etc.) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Owen Graduate School of Management | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 9.2/10 Read 1 reviews | 7.3/10 Read 4 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 18 for Business by US News 2025 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 351 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 89 for Business by QS World University 2026 # 29 for Business by US News 2025 # 126 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 130/160GRE - 311/340IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 | Duolingo - 115/160GRE - 322/340IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 90/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -62750 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -66000 |
| application dates | Jul 31, 2024 (Rolling Admissions Application Last Date) Jan 31, 2025 (Early Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Mar 31, 2025 (Application Deadline 1 For 2025 Intake) May 31, 2025 (Application Deadline 2 For 2025 Intake) | Jan 8, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) Mar 24, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Vanderbilt University | Rice University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1873 | 1912 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 3:1 | 9:1 |
| Male:Female | 49% Male, 51% Female | 53% Male, 47% Female |
| Location Facts | Located sothwest of downtown West End Avenue, Vanderbilt University is roughly nine miles from Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. It is surrounded by cityscape of Nationville. | a residential college system set on a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas; Located just minutes from downtown Houston, the Museum District and the world’s largest medical center. |
| Library | The heard libraries of Vanderbilt have 2,993,999 print items collection, 2,801,503 electronic items collection, 38,627 linear feet in special collection and university archives. It also has 1,118,709 TV and news collection. | Over 2.8 million print volumes; 72,000+ print & electronic serial titles; 141,000+ subscriptions; 4,000+ DVDs/CDs/VHS recordings; Library Service Center (off-site storage facility) holds over 1.1 million volumes, with a facility capacity of 1.8 million. |
| Campus Life | You can indulge in various co-curriculars through 430 student organizations and clubs, various events and activities are celebrated throughout the academic year. It also has field 16 varisty sports teams, 40 sports clubs and 40 intramural sports being offered to student. There are also a variety of eating options on campus. | 11 co-ed colleges; Dining facilities such as 4.Tac0, @Sammy’s, Whoo Deli, Valhalla, etc.; 200+ student organizations; Rice Players (Houston’s oldest student-run theatre company); Barbara and David Gibbs Recreation Center; Moody Center for the Arts (experimental space for both fabrication and exhibition); James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace (hosts musical performances and acts as a laboratory for Shepherd School of Music students). |
| Hostel | #On campus - $11540 | #On-Campus Living Expenses - $18100 #Off-Campus Living Expenses - $6100 |
| Famous Alumni | Al Gore (former vice-president of US), James Patterson (author), Mhd. Yunnus (Bangladesi social entrepreneur), Jay Cutler (football quarterback), Lamar Alexander (US senator), David Farr (CEO Emerson Electric), Rossane Cash (singer-songwriter), Robert Penn Warren (poet), James Dickey (poet). | several US Congressmen & Cabinet Secretaries; 9 astronauts, 9 Major League Baseball players, 2 Nobel Laureates; Lance Berkman (Baseball outfielder); Larry McMurtry (American novelist); Howard Hughes (American business magnate); Annise Parker (Former Mayor of Houston); Alberto Gonzales (US Attorney General); Peggy Whitson (American astronaut); Dave Hyatt (American software engineer). |
| City Life | Nashville is culturally rich, commercial hub in the south. It is highly acknowledged for its rich music culture. Nashville has a lot to offer like musical hall of fame, museums, belcourt, metro parks, state parks, etc. There are 30,000 lakes that add on to Nashvilles natural beauty. The unemployement rate for June 2020 is 10.2%. | Houston- most populated city in Texas; recognized for its energy industry; home to the famous Space Center Houston, Livestock Show and Rodeo, Museum District, Buffalo Bayou Park, Houston Zoo, The Heights, beaches of Galveston, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, etc.; Houses second-most Fortune 500 headquarters in USA; Unemployment Rate- 3.6% (Dec 2019). |
| Weather |
Vanderbilt University vs Rice University
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Vanderbilt University is a private research university in Nashville and has strengths in Education, Medicine, Law, and Business. Vanderbilt University ranks #188 in QS World University Rankings 2026 and =86 in THE World University Rankings 2025.
Rice University, in Houston, does well in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Architecture, and Business. It is #124 in QS 2026 and #124 in THE 2025. Both are highly regarded, but Rice has a wee edge in STEM areas, and Vanderbilt excels in Medicine, Education, and Law.
General Information
Vanderbilt, opened in 1873, has approximately 13,800 students and is recognized for having a balance of sound academics and energetic campus life, blending Southern culture and a sense of community.
Rice, opened in 1912, has around 8,000 students, providing an extremely personalized education through its small class sizes, high faculty-to-student ratio, and novel residential college system.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
Vanderbilt is extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 7–8%, and needs SAT scores of 1490+ or ACT 34+.
Rice is also extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 7–9%, and needs the same level of academic achievement (SAT 1500+, ACT 34+). Both institutions accept students with outstanding academic and extracurricular records.
Research Impact & Facilities
Vanderbilt is particularly distinguished in medical science, biomedical engineering, and education policy, with its Medical Center being one of the highest ranked in the U.S.
Rice is internationally known for its work in nanotechnology, space science, energy, and biotechnology, taking advantage of collaborations with NASA and the Texas Medical Center.
Cost & Financial Aid
Tuition at Vanderbilt is roughly $63,000 annually but includes generous need-based and merit aid in the form of scholarships such as the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship.
Tuition at Rice is roughly $57,000 annually, with excellent need-based aid covering nearly all or all expenses for families whose income is below $75,000. The two institutions are dedicated to meeting full demonstrated financial need.
Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes
Vanderbilt graduates excel in medicine, law, politics, and education, with an average mid-career salary of around $140,000 (INR 1.15 crore).
Rice graduates excel in academia, engineering, research, and entrepreneurship, with an average mid-career salary of around $140,000 (INR 1.15 crore). Vanderbilt's alumni base is more strong in healthcare and law, whereas Rice's alumni base is more strong in STEM and energy fields.
