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Rice University

Rice University

Houston, TX · City · 4,776 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$13,370
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
95%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$89,718
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
8%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Rice University is a prestigious private research institution in Houston renowned for its strong undergraduate focus and powerhouse programs in engineering, the natural sciences, architecture, and music at the Shepherd School. Situated on a lush, 300-acre campus adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, Rice offers students unparalleled access to cutting-edge research alongside an intimate, collaborative learning environment boasting a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Campus culture is uniquely anchored by its residential college system—which replaces traditional Greek life with deeply bonded, diverse living communities—and spirited campus traditions like the annual Beer Bike race.


Wikipedia:William Marsh Rice University, also known as Rice University, is a private research university in Houston, Texas, United States. Established in 1912, it spans 300 acres. The university consists of eight constituent schools in the fields of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Location
Houston, TX, 77005-1827 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
HOU · Houston Hobby
9 mi away
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$64,144
Housing & food (on campus)$18,100
Books & supplies$1,440
Cost of attendance$97,309
Average net price$13,370
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$64,144
Housing & food (on campus)$18,100
Books & supplies$1,440
Cost of attendance$97,309
Average net price$13,370
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: financialaid.rice.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Rice University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$71,140
Fees$984
Books & supplies$1,540
Personal expenses$3,115
Transportation$700
Total published by the school$97,309
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$5,827
$30–48k
$563
$48–75k
$3,217
$75–110k
$17,755
$110k+
$48,466
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$34,586
Share of first-years who get one6%
Source: Rice University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
95%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
87%
Back for yr 2
97%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
94% graduated · 4% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$79,751
10 yrs after entry$89,718
Debt
Median at graduation$11,000
Monthly payment$117
Middle 50% owe$5.8k–$18k
90th percentile$26,763
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
8%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1553
R 740–770 · M 770–800
ACT midpoint
35
Comp 34–35 · E 35–36 · M 33–36
SAT middle 50%: 1510–1570
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
From Rice University (admission.rice.edu) · 2026–27 application · checked Sep 28, 2026
  • Please explain what draws you to the academic areas you selected above and how you hope to explore them at Rice University.
    150 words max
  • Based upon your exploration of Rice University, what elements of the Rice experience appeal to you?
    150 words max
  • Choose one of two
    • The Residential College System is at the heart of Rice student life and is heavily influenced by the particular cultural traditions and unique life experiences each student brings. What life experiences and/or unique perspectives are you looking forward to sharing with fellow Owls in the residential college system?
      500 words max
    • Rice is strengthened by its diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders and change agents across the spectrum of human endeavor. What perspectives shaped by your background, experiences, upbringing, and/or cultural identity inspire you to join our community of change agents at Rice?
      500 words max
  • Why are you determined to study architecture? Please explain your motivation and describe how your past experiences have led you to apply to the Rice School of Architecture in particular. Have you had an opportunity outside of school—such as an internship, building project, architecture summer program or other experience—that strengthened your interest in the field? If so, please describe how the experience further compels you to pursue a career in architecture.
    250 words max · Rice School of Architecture applicants
  • Describe a building, place, or city that you have encountered and found especially compelling. What specifically captured your attention, and why? In your response, reflect on how this experience has shaped your understanding of architecture and the built environment.
    250 words max · Rice School of Architecture applicants

Quoted from Rice University's own page; answered in the Common App. The application itself is the final word.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 50%Women 50%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
6 : 1
Pell grant
17%
First-gen
14%
Family income
$65,041
Independent
2%
Age at entry
19.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
26%
Hispanic
17%
Black
8%
Asian
29%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
13%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$79,751
After 10 yrs
$89,718
Computer and Information Sciences, General164
Economics88
Biology, General70
Psychology, General66
Mechanical Engineering65
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences57
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness53
Mathematics47
Neurobiology and Neurosciences45
Statistics45
Cognitive Science44
Public Policy Analysis31
English Language and Literature, General30
Biomedical/Medical Engineering29
Chemical Engineering29
Political Science and Government28
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$7.9B
Full-time faculty
84%
Faculty salary
$18,454/mo
Teaching spend
$47,816
per student
Federal loans
6%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$278M research spending · 267 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Rice University is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
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