Rice University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Rice University
Shaded by live oaks and quiet hedges, this Houston campus feels like a small retreat inside a big city, and it's quieter than you'd expect. Rice is known for rigorous study across engineering, sciences, computing, architecture, music, and the humanities, with hands-on research. Students use modern labs and studios, strong libraries, and get advising, tutoring, and well-being support. The residential-college system and an honor code foster a friendly, collaborative vibe.
Life is lively and low-key at once, with a student-run coffeehouse, service groups, intramurals, and shady routes for a quick run. Career prep leans practical through research, mentoring, and links to Houston's energy, space, healthcare, and arts scenes, along with the medical center and museums. Traditions include a cycling-and-water relay and walking the sallyport. Alumni include Peggy Whitson, Annise Parker, John Doerr, and Lance Berkman.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Rice University offers 78 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,765 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (2 programs, 615 graduates), Engineering (10 programs, 419 graduates), Computer & IT (1 programs, 349 graduates), Social Sciences (7 programs, 208 graduates) and Biological Sciences (5 programs, 194 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (2 programs, 615 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 604 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| Business Administration and Management | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.0201 |
Engineering (10 programs, 419 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 93 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.4701 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 85 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 83 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Chemical Engineering | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Civil Engineering | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1001 |
| Engineering Physics | 19 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1201 |
| Operations Research | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.3701 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 8 |
|
Master's
|
14.0201 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1401 |
Computer & IT (1 programs, 349 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | 349 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0101 |
Social Sciences (7 programs, 208 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0601 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 51 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 41 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1101 |
| International Relations | 18 |
|
Master's
|
45.0901 |
| Anthropology | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
| Research and Quantitative Methods | 5 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0102 |
Biological Sciences (5 programs, 194 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 107 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0908 |
| Neuroscience | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biochemistry | 9 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0202 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1310 |
Arts (10 programs, 148 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stringed Instruments | 45 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0911 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0101 |
| Art History and Conservation | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0703 |
| Voice and Opera Performance | 15 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0908 |
| Woodwind Instruments | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0915 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0904 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0907 |
| Brass Instruments | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0914 |
| Music | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 1 |
|
Master's
|
50.0905 |
Mathematics (3 programs, 142 graduates)
Mathematical Sciences, Statistics and Computational Analysis
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0501 |
| Mathematics | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0101 |
| Applied Mathematics | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
27.0304 |
Physical Sciences (5 programs, 132 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0501 |
| Physics | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0801 |
| Geology and Earth Science | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0601 |
| Physics | 7 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
40.0899 |
| Astrophysics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
40.0202 |
Interdisciplinary (8 programs, 112 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Science | 52 |
|
Master's
|
30.7001 |
| Cognitive Science | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2501 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 7 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
30.0101 |
| Systems Science and Theory | 7 |
|
Master's
|
30.0601 |
| Computational Science | 3 |
|
Master's
|
30.3001 |
| Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
|
Master's
|
30.3101 |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.1301 |
| Classical and Ancient Studies | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2202 |
Psychology (2 programs, 74 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 6 |
|
Master's
|
42.2804 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Rice University.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Rice University
How much does it cost to attend Rice University?
The annual tuition at Rice University is $58,128 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $78,278 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $15,900 and books and supplies $1,400.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Rice University offer?
Rice University offers 78 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (2 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (10 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (1 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (7 programs)
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research (5 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Rice University?
Rice University has an 7.9% acceptance rate and a 46% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 31,059
- Students admitted: 2,447
- Students enrolled: 1,125
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Rice University?
Rice University provides financial aid to 27% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $53,526 and average loans of $10,083.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,797
- State/Local grants: $4,525
- Institutional grants: $51,409
- Federal loans: $5,169
The university supports 687 students with grants and 85 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Rice University graduates?
Rice University graduates earn a median salary of $79,751 after 6 years and $89,718 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $62,982 (25th percentile) to $143,920 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $161,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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