About Rice University

Founded in 1912, Rice University. is a Private college. Located in Texas, which is a city setting in Texas, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 3,893 full time undergraduate students, and 2,962 full time graduate students.

The Rice University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 6:1. There are 671 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Rice University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate15%
Application Deadline1-Nov
Application Fee75
SAT Range1410-1570
ACT Range32-35

Admissions at are considered Most Selective, with ,31% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 5 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 97% were in the top quarter, and 90% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Rice University.

14%
“We”re apathetic”
42%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
36%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
26%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
65%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
66%
“We bought the gear”
17%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
35%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
6%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
52%
“They”re always available”
92%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
4%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
4%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
9%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
60%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
18%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
64%
“There might be people who do”
18%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
14%
“We”re apathetic”
42%
“We know about current events and vote”
40%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
4%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
9%
“Sometimes, but not often”
48%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
36%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
8%
“I only go out in groups”
26%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
65%
“I feel extremely safe”
17%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
66%
“We bought the gear”
17%
“We live for the big game”
1%
“It”s not really our thing”
35%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
6%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
1%
“Available in class”
47%
“They keep regular office hours”
52%
“They”re always available”
92%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
4%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
4%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
3%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
9%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
60%
“We only party on weekends”
29%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
18%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
64%
“There might be people who do”
18%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    74 Students rated on-campus housing 3.9 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    43 Students rated off-campus housing 3.9 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    75 Students rated campus food 3.7 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    75 Students rated campus facilities 4.5 stars. 52 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    75 Students rated class size 4.3 stars. 48 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    74 Students rated school activities 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    74 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    74 Students rated academics 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

Rice University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Rice University?

33 Students rated Rice University

Gabriela - 11/21/2024

Rice is like that super smart kid in high school who's somehow also really cool and chill. Tucked away in Houston's Museum District, it's got this gorgeous campus that looks like Hogwarts met Texas – think beautiful old buildings with archways everywhere, surrounded by live oaks and lots of green space where students actually hang out and study. The school's pretty small, which means your professors actually know your name. The academics are no joke – it's up there with the Ivy Leagues, especially for engineering, architecture, and natural sciences. But here's what makes Rice different: it's way less cutthroat than you'd expect for a top school. There's this thing called the "Culture of Care" that students actually take seriously – imagine that, super smart people who aren't trying to sabotage each other! The social life is surprisingly fun (not just nerds in labs, though there's plenty of that too). The residential college system is like Hogwarts houses but with better food – each college has its own culture and traditions. And get this – Rice kids party in what they call "publics," which are basically college-wide parties that sometimes involve turning their commons into foam pits or beach parties. The biggest downsides? Houston's humidity will make you question all your life choices (seriously, the struggle is real), and sometimes the small size means you'll see your ex everywhere. Also, while Houston's got amazing food and culture, you definitely need a car to really explore it. Cost-wise, it's expensive like any private university, but Rice is actually pretty generous with financial aid, which is a huge plus. Rice is like the best of both worlds – elite academics without the elite attitude, plus a genuine community vibe that's hard to fake. It's not for everyone (what school is?), but for the right person (me), it's pretty much perfect.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Ariel - 09/23/2024

I personally think that rice university has a beautiful campus. It is very diverse and in very good location in Houston near the museum district. The people are so nice, when me and my mother were visiting the campus, we were confused on where to go, so we asked a lot of students walking by, if they could help us, and they were more than willing. Rice offers so many different opportunities for undergrads and creates a safe environment, where you don't feel like you have to figure it all out, right away as a freshman. So my over all opinion of Rice, is it is a place with a great environment because of the people, and a lot of great opportunities.

Jody - 01/22/2023

Based on my exploration of Rice, the most appealing thing to me is the campus diversity. Being surrounded by people of different ethnic groups. The aspect of having the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Knowing that I’m surrounded by different people who I will get the privilege to learn together ,grow together and support each other.

Lan - 12/16/2021

good good good

Rice University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Rice University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Rice University is 15%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. Describe the students at your school.

    Rice students are very studious and serious about their work. That said, many are too serious about partying too. Orientation week can be an opportunity to meet friends that you will have for your entire life, but if you are placed into the wrong orientation group or you don't like the social atmosphere at your "college," you may find yourself feeling isolated and be left without the resources to meet others and make new friends.

    Read all 68 answers

  3. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    My college experience has shown me how responsible I've become and has increased my knowledge of real-world things. It has been very valuable to attend because as a young adult I am transitioning from depending on my parents to depending on myself. College has helped me do this. In regards to school, I rely on myself to decide what classes I should take. This transition is making me make more life decisions that I usually would rely on my parents to make.

    Read all 63 answers

  4. What are the academics like at your school?

    Rice offers strong academics.

    Read all 57 answers

  5. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I like that the school is small, but by senior year it can feel to small. Especially if you have a tough breakup in a relationship it is very hard to avoid the ex. The campus is beautiful and I think its great htat so many people live on campus and it is so easy to have and go to parties. I was happy overall with Rice administration. Overall students are pretty apathetic about alot of issues and I wouldnt say the student body is as smart or goal oriented as I had imagined. Not sure if that is a bad or a good thing.

    Read all 55 answers

  6. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    I'm not sure how to answer this one. Sorry.

    Read all 53 answers

  7. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Nerdy

    Read all 53 answers

  8. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    In some ways yes. There may be a certain level of social immaturity on campus, but it isn't alway present. People do work, but not everyone is a workaholic. People like to party, but again there is quite a variety. I think overall the average person is rather similar: Smart, driven but not psycho, nice.

    Read all 52 answers

  9. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    The college system by far makes Rice unique. It is this system that makes the student body very inclusive.

    Read all 35 answers

  10. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Rice is a small university (in some ways resembling a liberal arts college but with good engineering and natural sciences) that is strong academically and has a quirky/interesting student body.

    Read all 18 answers

  11. What's unique about your campus?

    The people, curriculum, and school life is amazing.

    Read all 15 answers

  12. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing about my school is the lack of options for a meal plan. Currently, Rice offers one meal plan for all students: 19 meals per week - 3/day on weekdays and 2/day on Saturdays and Sundays. As a person who likes to explore a city and discover new restaurants, it would be nice to have an option for fewer meals per week because I would be able to go out to restaurants in the area and not feel guilty about spending money on a meal that I have previously paid for on campus.

    Read all 14 answers

  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    The usual Rice studnet was a "dork" in high school, but everyone is very intelligent and interesting!

    Read all 11 answers

  14. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for cutting-edge engineering and nanotechnology research. We get grants and awards for our work in nanotechnology and I've had classes with professors considered to be the leading innovators in nanotechnology. The school of engineering is very large, but doesn't overwhelm the other academic disciplines in my mind. Socially, we're known for our residential college system that greatly encourages students to make friends with all kinds of people.

    Read all 10 answers

  15. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Rice accepts a diverse range of people from all over the world, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be here. A person who is not willing to keep up a strong work ethic and maintain discipline should not attend Rice; also, someone who is not willing to keep an open mind regarding new ideas or cultures would not be recommended to attend Rice.

    Read all 9 answers

  16. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The campus is beautiful and living in houston is really great!

    Read all 8 answers

  17. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    Currently the administration seems out of touch with the student body.

    Read all 7 answers

  18. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    By answering this question, I would reinforce stereotypes. No need to do that.

    Read all 7 answers

  19. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I think it would have been nice to know about the partying scene prior to coming to school in that it was a lot more intense than I had imagined it to be. However, both drinkers and non-drinkers are at ease at parties and if you are a non-drinker, you will never be pressured to drink by your peers, which is another wonderful thing about Rice students.

    Read all 6 answers

  20. Describe the dorms.

    Taylor University's improv group

    Read all 2 answers

  21. Where is the best place to get work done on campus?

    There are a lot of places to get work done on campus, it depends what time of atmosphere you would like. Fondren library is probably the most popular. There are 6 floors at Fondren, and each has a different feel to it. First and second have a lot more socializing going on, so if you don't mind talking while working that's the place for you. The top floor has a beautiful view of the academic quad and is a lounge for the undergraduates, with cubbies, tables, and couches. The coffeehouse is another popular place to get some work done and also grab some great drinks!

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

48%

female

52%

male

3,893

Total Undergrad Enrollment

2,962

Total Grad Students

45%

Out-Of-State

43%

In-State

12%

International

Organizations

240

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

53%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
24%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
14%
% White or Caucasian
37%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

67% of students attending Rice University receive some sort of financial aid. 15% were awarded federal grants. While 17% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$43,918

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$800

Books and Supplies

$13,750

Room and Board

58,468

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$5,398
$30 - $48K
$6,293
$48 - $75K
$10,080
$75 - $110K
$22,435
$110K & UP
$38,701

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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