Rice University is a private nonprofit university with an 8.0% acceptance rate and 4,776 undergraduates. The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, with a 6-year graduation rate of 95.2%. The cost of attendance is $87,824, and the median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $89,718.
Rice University is highly selective with an 8.0% acceptance rate. The private nonprofit institution enrolls 4,776 undergraduates and maintains a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 15,982 | 1,233 | 7.7% | 562 |
| Women | 15,077 | 1,214 | 8.1% | 563 |
Rice University admits 8% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Rice University has a cost of attendance of $87,824. With a substantial $7.9 billion endowment and 17.0% Pell grant recipients, the institution demonstrates significant financial resources to support affordability.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $117.
After aid, Rice University costs $13,370 a year — about 41% less than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Rice University has a 95.2% six-year graduation rate and median earnings of $79,751 six years after enrollment and $89,718 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 163 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 106 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 60 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative... | 53 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering | 43 |
| Psychology, General | 38 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 37 |
| Cognitive Science, General | 32 |
| Neuroscience | 31 |
| Chemistry, General | 26 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Rice University are $78,690, and 80% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Rice University students earn $79,751 — 75% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Rice University is a private nonprofit institution with 4,776 undergraduates and a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. As an NCAA Division I-FBS school, Rice competes in collegiate athletics with annual athletic revenue of $16.1 million.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
382 of 4,472 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 4,574 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 483 of 3,982 graduate students.
Rice University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Rice University spends $28,499 per student on research — about 5× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Rice University is in Houston, TX, in what IPEDS classifies as a large city setting. The campus sits about 4.8 miles from the center of Houston. There are 11 other colleges within 25 miles, and Houston, TX is 4.8 miles away.
Harris County scores 10.8 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 4.8% of Houston's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Rice University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Rice University reported 1 arrests and 17 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Rice University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Rice University has an 8.0% acceptance rate, making it highly selective. Prospective students should have strong academics and demonstrated interest to be competitive for admission.
The total cost of attendance at Rice is $87,824 annually, covering tuition, fees, room, and board. However, many students pay significantly less through financial aid and scholarships.
Yes, Rice provides need-based financial aid to admitted students. The university enrolls 17.0% Pell grant recipients and supports first-generation students (14.5% of enrollment), demonstrating commitment to affordability.
Rice has a 6-year graduation rate of 95.2%. The rate is 96.5% for non-Pell students and 93.3% for Pell grant recipients, showing strong completion across all student groups.
Rice graduates earn a median of $79,751 six years after enrollment and $89,718 ten years after enrollment, indicating strong career outcomes and earning potential.
Rice has 4,776 undergraduate students, creating an intimate campus environment with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, allowing for close faculty-student interaction.
Rice is known for its residential college system, intimate class sizes (6:1 ratio), and strong undergraduate focus. The university balances academic rigor with a collaborative, supportive student culture.
Yes, Rice competes in NCAA Division I-FBS with an athletic budget of $16.1 million. The university supports varsity sports while maintaining its primary commitment to academics.
Rice's undergraduate enrollment is 49.6% women, reflecting near-perfect gender balance among its student population.
Rice has an endowment of $7.9 billion, one of the largest among research universities. This substantial endowment supports financial aid, research, and campus resources for students.