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Rice University

Houston, Texas 77005-1827

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedUrbanSports culture

Among the most selective in the Northeast — top graduate earnings

Rice University is a private institution in Houston with particular strength in biology and engineering. With an average SAT of 1553, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 4.6K undergraduates with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

96% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $89,718 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,640.

Established
1912
Motto
"Letters, Science, Art"
Mascot
Sammy the Owl
Type
Private research university
Conference
American Athletic Conference since 2023
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

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8%Acceptance
1553SAT Avg
4,562Students
6:1Student:Faculty
96%Grad Rate
$89,718Earnings 10yr
$12,640Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate7.9%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1553

Reading & WritingMid: 745
730770
MathMid: 785
770800

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 35
3436

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$58,128
Room & Board$15,900
Books & Supplies$1,400
Total Cost of Attendance$74,110
Average Net Price$12,640
Median Debt at Graduation$11,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$117

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$3,221
$30–48K$3,666
$48–75K$1,348
$75–110K$18,783
$110K+$39,303

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

94.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

6.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$9,716

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

35

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

9

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

9

Drug Arrests

7

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (131)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

98%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
4,562
Gender Split
49% / 51%
Women / Men
First Generation
14%
Pell Grant Recipients
16%

Race & Ethnicity

White 26%
Black 8%
Hispanic 16%
Asian 30%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 12%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate95.7%
Freshman Retention97.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$79,751
10 Years$89,718

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#17
vs 2024
Forbes
#12
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#63
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

VolleyballSwimSoccerBasketballBasketball invitationalBasketball won

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1891, Rice decided to charter a free-tuition educational institute in Houston, bearing his name, to be created upon his death, earmarking most of his estate towards funding the project.
  • On the morning of September 23, 1900, Rice, age 84, was found dead by his valet, Charles F.
  • Patrick was found guilty of conspiring to steal Rice's fortune and he was convicted of murder in 1901 (he was pardoned in 1912 due to conflicting medical testimony).
  • 6 million in 1904 (equivalent to $125 million in 2024), towards the founding of what was to be called the Rice Institute, later to become Rice University.
  • In 1908, Lovett accepted the challenge, and was formally inaugurated as the institute's first president on October 12, 1912.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

106Above Average

Estimated from TX state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Houstonpop. 2.3M
4 mi(7 min)
Austinpop. 960K
145 mi(251 min)
San Antoniopop. 1.5M
187 mi(324 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAH Houston Intercontinental19 mi
AUS Austin140 mi
SAT San Antonio185 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1607 mi · ~46h 25m drive
New York, NY1421 mi · ~41h 3m drive
Hartford, CT1515 mi · ~43h 46m drive
Providence, RI1575 mi · ~45h 30m drive
Albany, NY1495 mi · ~43h 11m drive
Syracuse, NY1406 mi · ~40h 37m drive
Rochester, NY1351 mi · ~39h 2m drive
Buffalo, NY1289 mi · ~37h 14m drive
Philadelphia, PA1343 mi · ~38h 48m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1140 mi · ~32h 56m drive
Harrisburg, PA1273 mi · ~36h 47m drive
Newark, NJ1414 mi · ~40h 51m drive
Washington, DC1222 mi · ~35h 18m drive
Baltimore, MD1254 mi · ~36h 14m drive
Atlanta, GA704 mi · ~20h 20m drive
Charlotte, NC929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Raleigh, NC1059 mi · ~30h 36m drive
Miami, FL969 mi · ~28h drive
Orlando, FL850 mi · ~24h 33m drive
Tampa, FL793 mi · ~22h 55m drive
Nashville, TN669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
New Orleans, LA320 mi · ~9h 15m drive
Richmond, VA1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Chicago, IL945 mi · ~27h 18m drive
Detroit, MI1109 mi · ~32h 2m drive
Minneapolis, MN1061 mi · ~30h 39m drive
St. Louis, MO683 mi · ~19h 44m drive
Kansas City, MO650 mi · ~18h 47m drive
Indianapolis, IN869 mi · ~25h 6m drive
Columbus, OH996 mi · ~28h 46m drive
Cleveland, OH1118 mi · ~32h 18m drive
Milwaukee, WI1009 mi · ~29h 9m drive
Dallas, TX227 mi · ~6h 33m drive
Houston, TX4 mi · ~7 min drive
Austin, TX145 mi · ~4h 11m drive
San Antonio, TX187 mi · ~5h 24m drive
Los Angeles, CA1370 mi · ~39h 35m drive
San Francisco, CA1642 mi · ~47h 26m drive
San Diego, CA1300 mi · ~37h 33m drive
Seattle, WA1890 mi · ~54h 36m drive
Portland, OR1834 mi · ~52h 59m drive
Denver, CO880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Phoenix, AZ1013 mi · ~29h 16m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1200 mi · ~34h 40m drive
Honolulu, HI3893 mi · ~112h 28m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Rice University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications