At $12,640/yr net price, Rice University graduates earn $89,718/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $55,718/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,640 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $50,560 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,718/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$55,718/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,221/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,666/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $1,348/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,783/yr |
| $110,001+ | $39,303/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $129,481 | $12,373 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $127,993 | $41,000 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor | $97,071 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $89,530 | |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $83,915 | $13,178 |
| Statistics. | Bachelor | $79,450 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $72,884 | $11,644 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,957 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,219 | $15,375 |
| Public Policy Analysis. | Bachelor | $55,512 |
The Risk Factor
95.7% of students at Rice University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Rice University gives you strong financial returns for a private school, and the debt numbers are the reason. You graduate with a median of $11,000 in debt against median earnings of about $90,000 ten years out. That ratio is unusual for a private university, and the 95.7% graduation rate means you are very likely to actually finish and start earning.
Computer and information sciences is the clear winner here, paying about $129,000 with roughly $12,000 in debt. Math follows at $97,000, and business administration lands near the school-wide median. Chemical engineering and statistics pay less, both under $84,000, so the STEM payoff at Rice is not uniform. Houston's energy and tech job market supports the engineering and computing tracks, which helps explain why those graduates carry manageable debt relative to what they earn.
The main financial risk is income-based. Rice's net price splits sharply by family income. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay somewhere between $1,300 and $3,700 a year, which makes this one of the cheapest paths to a degree that pays off. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay close to $40,000 a year, and the jump from the $75,000-$110,000 tier is steep. Run the full four-year cost against your expected major before committing at those upper tiers.
Rice is a strong financial fit if you qualify for aid in the lower income tiers or if you plan to major in computer science or math. If you are a full-pay family aiming at chemical engineering or statistics, the return is still positive but thinner, and you should compare it against lower-cost options in the same fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rice University worth the cost compared to other top schools?
Rice University offers strong ROI with a low net price of $12,640 annually and graduates earning $89,718 after 10 years. The school's generous financial aid makes it more affordable than many comparable elite universities.
What are the best paying majors at Rice University?
Computer science and business administration graduates from Rice earn over $125,000 annually, making these programs excellent investments. Even lower-paying majors like mathematics still produce graduates earning nearly $100,000.
How much debt do Rice University students graduate with?
Rice graduates have a median debt of just $11,000, well below the national average. Strong financial aid keeps most students from accumulating heavy debt loads.
Does Rice University's high selectivity affect its value?
Rice's 8.7% acceptance rate means only top students get in, contributing to its 95.7% graduation rate and strong earning outcomes. The selectivity helps ensure graduates are well-prepared for high-paying careers.