About Rice University
Despite a sticker price of $75,428, Rice delivers strong financial value through generous aid packages. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,221 net price, while those from higher-income families still receive substantial support. Graduates earn a median $89,718 ten years after graduation, easily justifying the typical $11,000 debt burden with monthly payments of only $117. The 95.70% six-year graduation rate reflects both student quality and institutional support.
With a 6:1 student-faculty ratio, Rice offers access to professors that larger universities cannot match. The 97.58% retention rate suggests students quickly find their place within the residential college communities. Nearly 30% of students identify as Asian American, creating a diverse academic environment where 94.69% graduate in four years.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 6:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 83.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 94.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 95.7%
- Retention Rate
- 97.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $89,718
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R1)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $129,481 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $127,993 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $97,071 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $89,530 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $83,915 |
| Statistics. | Bachelor | $79,450 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $72,884 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,957 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,219 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Bachelor | $55,512 |
Campus Life
Houston's subtropical climate means you'll need sunscreen year-round and rarely touch a heavy coat. Students spend weekends exploring the Museum District, catching Astros games, or hitting up food trucks that reflect the city's incredible diversity. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know your name. Rice's quirky traditions include the annual Beer Bike race and elaborate college-specific ceremonies. The campus buzzes with pre-professional energy, especially given that median earnings hit $89,718 ten years after graduation.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 3,477 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1891
Campus Safety (2023)
161 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 75 | 12 | 0 | 1 |
| Rape | 13 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic Violence | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Stalking | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 44°–62°F
- July Avg
- 76°–93°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 54.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 50.9%
- Women
- 49.1%
- White
- 26.5%
- Black
- 8.2%
- Hispanic
- 16.1%
- Asian
- 29.5%
- In-State Students
- 40.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 16.1%
Location
- Address
- Houston, Texas 77005-1827
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $89,718
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $81,896
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $68,300
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 87.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $117/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $11,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Rice University?
Rice University accepts just 8.68% of applicants, making it one of the most selective universities in the country. Admitted students typically score between 1490-1570 on the SAT, with an average of 1530. This highly competitive admissions process reflects Rice's reputation as a top-tier research institution.
How much does Rice University cost after financial aid?
Despite a sticker price of $75,428, Rice's average net price is only $12,640 due to generous financial aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of just $3,221 per year. Rice meets full demonstrated need for admitted students, making it surprisingly affordable for many families.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Rice University?
Rice maintains a 6:1 student-faculty ratio with just 4,562 undergraduate students total. This intimate learning environment enables close mentorship and research opportunities. The university is particularly well-known for its engineering and science programs, which benefit from these small class sizes.
What do Rice University graduates earn after college?
Rice graduates earn a median salary of $89,718 ten years after graduation, reflecting strong career outcomes. The university boasts a 93.8% employment rate and 95.70% six-year graduation rate. Alumni include notable figures like Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and former Secretary of State James Baker.
Where do students live at Rice University?
Rice houses 3,477 students on campus through its unique residential college system modeled after Oxford and Cambridge. The university has 97.58% retention rate, partly due to this tight-knit residential community. Each college has its own dining hall, traditions, and identity that creates lifelong bonds among students.
Is Rice University diverse in its student body?
Rice's student body is 29.50% Asian, 26.48% White, 16.11% Hispanic, and 8.24% Black, creating a diverse campus. The gender split is nearly even at 50.88% men and 49.12% women. About 40% of students come from Texas, while the rest represent all 50 states and dozens of countries.
