Franklin W Olin College of Engineering vs Rice University
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering and Rice University, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences for aspiring engineers. Olin, a small, private college in Needham, Massachusetts, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of only 13%, while Rice, a larger, private research university in Houston, Texas, has a more accessible acceptance rate of 15%. Olin's focus on hands-on learning and its distinctive curriculum, which emphasizes project-based work and entrepreneurship, sets it apart from Rice, which offers a broader range of engineering disciplines and opportunities for research. While Olin's student body is predominantly male (70%), Rice's student population is more diverse, with a 50-50 gender ratio. Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Olin's four-year graduation rate at 88% and Rice's six-year graduation rate at 91%. To help you make an informed decision about your engineering education
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![]() Franklin W Olin College of Engineering |
![]() Rice University |
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Overview |
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Location | Needham, Massachusetts | Houston, Texas |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 100.0% | 97.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.0% | 9.5% |
Application fees | $85 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 1490 - 1580 | 1490 - 1570 |
ACT range | 34 - 35 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 46.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 29.0% |
Total number of applicants | 907 | 29,544 |
Total number of admissions given out | 163 | 2,802 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 91 | 1,226 |
Yield rate | 55.8% | 43.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $73,649 | $71,745 |
Average net price | $36,494 | $18,521 |
Tuition | $55,612 | $52,070 |
Room & board | $17,984 |
Room/dormitory:
$10,100
Meal plan:
$4,700
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,069 |
61.0%
Average amount $51,036 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
23.0%
Average amount $4,382 |
9.0%
Average amount $4,982 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $33,500 |
2.0%
Average amount $24,340 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
382
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
4,247
Men 51.5% Women 48.5% |
Graduate students | N/A |
4,038
Men 63.9% Women 36.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 56.1% |
International students | 8.4% | 25.5% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 363 | 3,533 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Texas California New York Florida Illinois |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 97.4% | 92.3% |
Dropout rate | 2.6% | 6.9% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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