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Rice University

7.8(6)
VerifiedPrivate (Not for Profit)Estd. 1912
Founded
1912
Type
Private (Not for Profit)
University Guide

About Rice University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Rice University, primarily known as William Marsh Rice University, is a private research institution. Established in 1921, Rice University flourishes among the top 20 universities of the USA, according to US News and World Report. Rice University is an educational abode to 2,332 international students hailing from 113 countries. The university is a parent association of schools, catering to nearly 100 fields of study. There are over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs at Rice University.

Rice University acceptance rate accounts for 8%. This increases the competition for students seeking admission at Rice University. Graduate students can presume 20,000 to 71,000 USD (16.59 to 58.92 lakhs INR) as the cost of attendance at Rice University. The tuition fee for undergraduate students is estimated to be 57,210 USD (47.48 lakhs INR) on an annual basis. A graduate student at Rice University can expect an average salary up to 129,000 USD (1.06 crores INR) in the field of Business.

Get a virtual tour of Rice University by clicking on the link below:

Table of Contents

  1. Rice University Rankings
  2. Rice University Campus
    2.1 Rice University Student Life
  3. Rice University Courses
  4. Rice University Admissions
    4.1 Rice University PG Admissions
    4.2 Rice University UG Admissions
  5. Rice University Fees
    5.1 Rice University Cost of Attendance
    5.2 Rice University Cost of Living
  6. Rice University Scholarships
  7. Rice University Placements
  8. Rice University Alumni
  9. FAQs

Rice University Rankings

Rice University is a prestigious institution, ranking #1 in Texas for being host to 27.2% of international students. According to US News and World Report, Rice stands at 17th place among the top 20 universities of the USA. Furthermore, the university is ranked at #9 for its research resources.

Rice University takes immense pride in being the number-one institution for bringing together people belonging to different racial backgrounds.

The given table mentions the rankings of Rice University in recent years:

Ranking Agency 2021 2022 2023 2024
QS Rankings #89 #94 #100 #145
THE Rankings #124 #136 #147 #119
CWUR Rankings #147 #160 #167 -
ARWU Rankings #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 -

Rice University Campus

Rice University is located in Houston, the heart city of Texas. With a 300 acre tree-lined area, the campus of Rice University provides a vibrant environment to its students. Houston is ranked #1 in being the most ethnically diverse city of the USA, creating a safe space for you.

Rice University Student Life

  • Rice University has more than 200 clubs and organizations for students interested in performance, media, culture, religion and politics.
  • The university’s Residential College System allows you to live and interact with other students. Students are randomly allotted to any of the 11 co-ed colleges, giving you great opportunities to explore campus life.
  • Houston Museum Districts is a chain of 19 museums and institutions, offering a remarkable African American experience.
  • The Moody Center for the Arts is designed to provide a unique platform for practicing various art forms.

Rice University Courses

Rice University aims at creating path-breaking research opportunities for its students by providing more than 157 programs. These programs deal in nearly 100 disciplines including Architecture, Business, Humanities, Music and so on. There are over 50 courses open to you at Bachelor’s and Master’s level each.

Rice University also provides Diploma and minor degree programs in the field of Business and Music. Moreover, the university offers 300 study-abroad programs in more than 50 countries. These programs are based on intensive research to provide you credit-earning trips around the world.

Here are some of the major programs at Rice University:

Rice University Top Courses

Course Name Annual Tuition Fees Annual Tuition Fees
Master of Science [M.S], Mechanical Engineering ₹ 4781612 USD 57,210
Master of Architecture [M.Arch] ₹ 2984140 USD 35,704
Master of Accounting [M.Acc] ₹ 4931220 USD 59,000
Master of Science [M.S], Statistics ₹ 4781612 USD 57,210
Master of Computational Science and Engineering ₹ 4781612 USD 57,210
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] ₹ 5767020 USD 69,000
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Chemical Physics ₹ 4781612 USD 57,210
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Computational and Applied Mathematics ₹ 4781612 USD 57,210

Rice University Admissions

Rice University opens its applications for Summer, Spring and Fall academic sessions. The applications are accepted on a rolling basis, therefore, you must keep the deadlines in mind. Rice University application fee varies on the basis of program enrollment.

The given tables list all the requirements for both PG and UG students seeking admission at Rice University:

Rice University PG Admissions

Category PG Admission Requirements
Application Portal Rice University PG Application
Application Fee 85–200 USD or 7,053–16,596 INR
Academic Requirements 4-year U.S. bachelor's degree, or its international equivalent
GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (84%)
English Proficiency Requirement TOEFL-iBT: Minimum 90

IELTS: Minimum 7.0

Additional Requirements CV | Transcripts | 2 Letters of Recommendation | Statement of Purpose

Rice University UG Admissions

Undergraduate students applying to the School of Architecture must submit an architecture portfolio as a part of their application process.

Category UG Admission Requirements
Application Portal Rice University UG Application
Application Fee 75 USD or 6,224 INR
Academic Requirements High-school Certificate | CBSE | AISSCE | IGCE

Class X Final Results and Class XI Mid-year Results

English Proficiency Requirement TOEFL: Minimum 100

IELTS: Minimum 7.0

Additional Requirements Transcripts | 2–3 Letters of Recommendation

Rice University Fees

The cost of attending Rice University differs from case to case, based on the program and living expenditure. Nevertheless, as a graduate student, you can expect an estimated tuition fee ranging from 20,000 to 71,000 USD (16.59 to 58.92 lakhs INR). The annual cost of attendance for an undergraduate student is 57,210 USD (47.48 lakhs INR).

The estimated annual budget breakdown for tuition fees and cost of living in USA is given in the tables below:

Rice University Cost of Attendance

Expense Type Costs (USD) INR Equivalent
Master’s Tuition Fee 20,000–71,000 16.59–58.92 lakhs
Student Association Fee 45 3,733
Student Organization Fee 8 664
Health and Wellness Support Fee 677 56,174
Total Master’s Fee 20,730–71,730 17.19–59.50 lakhs
Bachelor’s Tuition Fee 57,210 47.48 lakhs
Health and Wellness Support Fee 677 56,174
Freshmen Orientation Fee 395 32,773
Total Bachelor’s Fee 58,282 48.35 lakhs

Rice University Cost of Living

Expense Type Costs (USD) INR Equivalent
Textbooks and Supplies 1,400 1.16 lakhs
Residence 10,400 8.62 lakhs
Food 5,500 4.56 lakhs
Personal Expenses 2,850 2.36 lakhs
Total 20,150 16.71 lakhs

Rice University Scholarships

Being a loan-free institution, Rice University provides different kinds of aid to at least 57% of its undergraduate students. Rice offers merit and need based assistance to ease monetary stress of the students.

You must submit a Financial Statement mentioning your family’s financial status. The students must demonstrate their plan of action in financing the cost of tuition fee, if the total sum of available funds is less than 85,683 USD (71.08 lakhs INR).

Rice University provides merit scholarships to nearly 20% of admitted undergraduate international students every year. You must have an excellent academic record in order to compete with other students. There is no separate application or interview process. The Admission Committee will automatically award you the scholarship based on your application.

Some of the major scholarships in the USA are listed below:

scholarships in USA

Rice University Placements

Around 55% graduates from Rice University succeed in landing amazing jobs at recognized firms. The university offers student employment to its international students. You can work as a paid research assistant in your respective department. Moreover, you can earn by working at Rice Coffeehouse, Fondren Library, and so on.

Rice University allows you to work on either a part-time or full-time basis, You must complete the paperwork properly with HR and Payroll before commencing the internship.

Here are the average salary expectations for various programs at Rice University:

Degree Program Average Salary Expectation (USD) INR Equivalent
Doctorate 200,000 1.65 crores
Masters in Business Administration 129,000 1.06 crores
Bachelor of Arts 90,000 74.63 lakhs
Bachelor of Science 80,000 66.34 lakhs

Rice University Alumni

Rice University continues to flourish by producing 86,855 alumni till date. These people are, in turn, making the university proud through their achievements.

Some of the notable alumni of Rice University are listed below:

Alumni Name Notable Achievement
Allen Gilmer Former geoscientist and now a Filmmaker and Founder of Thunderbird Pictures
Judge Jason Luong First Vietnamese American and first Asian American in Harris County and in Texas to be elected as the criminal district court judge for the 185th District Court.
Keshav Wagle Teaching stand-up comedy to his own family and friends by developing a 15-week curriculum exploring the Art of a Joke

Rice University is a great educational platform for students looking for intensive research opportunities. The university has a student to faculty ratio of 6:1 with 66% of courses having less than 20 students. This paves the way for a focused learning environment and better understanding of concepts. Rice University shares an academic experience of 103 years, reflecting its unique teaching expertise.

FAQs

Ques. Is Rice University a public or private institution?

Ans. Rice University is a private research university based in the heart of Houston city in Texas, USA. The university is ranked at #17 among the top 20 universities of the USA.

Heck out the latest rankings of Rice University by different ranking bodies in the table given below:

Ranking Agency 2021 2022 2023 2024
QS Rankings #89 #94 #100 #145
THE Rankings #124 #136 #147 #119
CWUR Rankings #147 #160 #167 -
ARWU Rankings #101-150 #101-150 #101-150 -

Ques. Are Jesse School of Business and Rice University the same?

And. Rice University is an umbrella institution to 8 different schools. Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business is one of the affiliated schools of Rice University.

The list below mentions all the schools at Rice University, specializing in different domains:

  1. George R. Brown School of Engineering
  2. Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
  3. School of Architecture
  4. School of Humanities
  5. School of Social Sciences
  6. Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies
  7. The Shepherd School of Music
  8. Weiss School of Natural Sciences

Ques. Is it difficult to get admission at Rice University?

Ans. Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8% which makes the admission process highly competitive. Students must create a strong academic profile and prepare well for the interviews to successfully clear all the rounds of the admission process.

Ques. What is the GPA requirement for programs at Rice University?

Ans. The GPA requirements at Rice University varies from program to program. However, the standardized range for accepted GPA is 2.67–3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Its international equivalent accounts for minimum 80–84% to secure admission at Rice.

Ques. Which language is used for instruction at Rice University?

Ans. English language is used as the medium of instruction at Rice University. You must take the accepted English proficiency tests to study at Rice. The university requires all the submitted documents for receiving financial aid or other documents like reference letters and SOP, in English only.

Here are the accepted scores on the following tests to get admission into Rice University:

Test

Accepted Score

PG UG
TOEFL-iBT Minimum 90 Minimum 100
IELTS

Minimum 7.0

Duolingo English Test Minimum 115 Minimum 130

Ques. Is GRE required for Rice University admissions?

Ans. Rice University has removed the compulsion on submitting GRE and GMAT scores for Admissions in 2024. However, some of the programs recommend the students to submit General GRE scores for better understanding of the application.

The concerned programs are mentioned in the table below along with the degree of recommendation:

Degree of Recommendation Programs
Normal recommendation Master’s in Material Science and NanoEngineering
Strong recommendation Master's in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Master's in Architecture, Master’s in Mechanical Engineering

Ques. Does Rice University require SAT scores?

Ans. No. Rice University doesn’t require SAT or ACT scores for first-year international students. However, you can submit the score of these additional tests based on your choice. If you choose not to submit, it won’t affect your application, and you will be considered equally.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

67

Fee from

₹17,78,033.7

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 39 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 62.3 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 66,540 /Yr
Living Expense₹1830467
Estimated Total₹2406199
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Rice University admission is quite selective with an overall acceptance rate of 9.48%. For the class of 2025, a total of 29,544 students applied to Rice University out of which only 2,802 students were accepted. Out of this, 26.7% are international students from 150 countries. Rice University reviews applications holistically with the goal of enrolling a diverse class of students from around the world Also Check: Student Reviews of Rice University.

  • Admission Requirements: Applicants should have at least a GPA of 3.0 (~86%)to apply for Rice University. However, the average GPA of the admitted students at Rice University is usually 3.96 on the 4.0 scale which is almost 92%.
  • Eligibility Criteria for MBA: To get into MBA at Rice, 2 Letters of Recommendation and a personal essay are required and these can be responsible for making or breaking the applications.
  • Decision Date: Regular Decision applicants who submitted their materials by January 4th will find out their admissions choices on April 1st.
  • Most Enrolled Programs: The most enrolled majors at the university are Mechanical Engineering, Cognitive Science, Computer and Information Sciences, Economics, and Biochemistry.

Rice University Class Profile

The class profile of Rice University for the class of 2025 is given below.

Total Application Received 29,635
Number of Applications Accepted 2,802
Acceptance Rate 9%
Number Of Students Enrolled 1,226
Number of Female Students 630
Number of Male Students 596
Percentage of International Students 13%

Rice University Admission Deadlines

What are the application deadlines for international students? Admission to international undergraduates is offered in only the fall semester whereas graduate international students have different admission deadlines for the respective programs.

Applicants Deadlines
UG Early Decisions November 1
Undergraduate January 4
Graduate October 1

Rice University Admission Deadlines

Program Application Deadline
M.S Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Application Deadline[31 Dec, 2023]
M.B.A Application Deadline[9 Oct, 2024]
M.S Bioengineering Application Deadline[15 Oct, 2024]
Application Deadline[1 Oct, 2024]
M.Acc Application Deadline[13 Oct, 2024]
M.Arch Application Deadline[2 Feb, 2024]
Application Deadline[15 Jan, 2024]
M.C.S Application Deadline[1 Oct, 2024]
M.S Statistics Application Deadline[15 Feb, 2024]
M.S Space Studies Application Deadline[15 Oct, 2024]
M.S Mechanical Engineering Application Deadline[1 Feb, 2024]
M.S Chemical Engineering Application Deadline[31 Dec, 2023]
M.S Electrical and Computer Engineering Application Deadline[15 Jan, 2024]
Application Deadline[15 Jan, 2024]
M.S Industrial Engineering Application Deadline[1 Feb, 2024]

Rice University Undergraduate Admission

Admission at the university is competitive hence applications need to be submitted duly completing all the requirements and carefully written SOPs and LORs. An applicant should have at least a 3.5 GPA (~89-93%) in High school and 3.0 (~83-86%) in Bachelors depending on the level of the degree.

University offers more than 50 undergraduate programs in the field of architecture, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences. In addition to that minors, interdisciplinary and pre-professional programs are also offered.

How to apply: Interested applicants can apply for admission at Rice University through the university’s official admission portal, Common Application or Coalition application along with an application fee of 75 USD for both UG and PG programs.

Application Portal: Coalition application or the common application or online application, Application Fee: 75 USD (~5,850 INR)

Documents Required:

  • A completed application
  • Payment of 75 USD non-refundable application fee
  • Official high school transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation
  • English proficiency test score
  • International student financial statement
  • Rice supplement (Essay and Rice Box)
  • Letter of recommendation (3: one from counselor, two from teachers)

Also Check:

Rice University Graduate Admission

University offers two types of graduate studies; research-based programs and professional master’s programs. Programs are offered in the field of architecture, education, continuing studies, engineering, applied physics, computer science, statistics, etc.

Application Portal: Rice University Graduate ApplicationApplication Fee: 85 USD (~6,625 INR)

Documents Required: The basic eligibility criteria for admission are discussed as follows:

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (~83-86%) or the equivalent in their undergraduate
  • GRE or GMAT scores can be submitted, if available.
  • English proficiency test scores

Course-specific admission to PG programs at Rice University is discussed below:

Program Master of Computer Science Master of Statistics Master of Accounting Maters in Chemical Engineering Master of Business administration
Official transcripts Required Required Required Required Required
GRE scores Not Required Required Not Required Not Required Required
Letters of recommendation 3 3 3 3 1 to 2
Resume Required Required Required Not Required Yes
Essay/SOP Required Not Required Required Required Essay

English Proficiency Test Score Requirements

What are the language proficiency exams accepted by Rice University? Mentioned below are the exams accepted by Rice University along with the minimum required scores:

Exam Minimum Test Scores
TOEFL iBT 90-100
TOEFL PBT 575
IELTS 7.0
Duolingo 120

US Visa Application Process

After completing the application process, international students receive I-20, on the basis of which they need to apply for a US student Visa. The following documents are required to be submitted with the visa application form at the US Embassy:

Required documents :

  • Copy of Passport
  • Acceptance letter from the university
  • I-20 form
  • Financial documentation as proof
  • Fees of 200 USD
  • Any other document needed to support the application

Also Check:

Rice University Admission Decision

The decisions at Rice University are made in two intakes. Below are decision Decision that applicant mat receive after apply through Early Decision or Regular Decision

Early Decision: students whose applications have been accepted by the university and selected Rice University as their first choice for admission will be required to withdraw all the other applications. Also, such candidates will be required to submit all of their documents by November 1, 2022 and the admission decision will be notified by mid-December. Below are the likely outcomes after applying to Rice University via Early Decision:

  • Admitted to the University
  • Will be deferred to Regular Decision intake
  • Application denied for admission

Regular Decision: To those applying through Regular Decision are advised to submit their required documents by January 4. Such will be notified about their admission decision latest by April 1. Below are the likely outcome via Regular Decision:

  • Admitted to the university
  • Will be put under waiting list and may be accepted to the university based on availability
  • Admission denied

Note: Submission of GMAT or GRE scores is considered. However, GRE/GMAT requirement has been waived for the 2021 academic session.

The university takes 4-6 weeks for the decision and status of the application. Keeping the standard of the university and the selectivity in taking admissions, a strategically prepared SOP and exceptional LORs may prove an asset to the academically talented applicants

FAQs

Ques. How to apply at Rice University, USA?

Ans. You can apply through UG - Apply online or Coalition application or the common application and Graduate online application.

Ques. Is it easy to get into Rice University, USA?

Ans. No, Rice university is most selective with an acceptance rate of 9.48%.

Ques. What are the English requirements for international students at Rice University, USA?

Ans. The required minimum score to prove proficiency for an international applicant is: 

Exam Minimum Test Scores
TOEFL iBT 90-100
IELTS 7.0
Duolingo 120

Ques. What are the admission requirements for international students at Rice University?

Ans. Interested applicants can apply for admission at Rice University through the university’s Common Application by fulfilling the mentioned below admission requirements: 

  • Transcripts
  • Early Decision agreement
  • International student financial statement
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Architecture portfolio
  • Standardized exam scores
  • Resume
  • Essays
  • Work experience
  • Extracurricular activities
  • English Proficiency Test scores

Ques. What are the top master's programs at Rice University?

Ans. The university offers 20 master's programs including architecture, business, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences, with multiple opportunities for research and collaboration. Some of the top programs are mentioned below with their annual tuition fees: 

Ques. Is there a compulsory interview requirement for admission to Rice University, USA?

Ans. No, There’s no interview requirement, but it is recommended.

Placements & Recruiters

Rice University Placement Details

Rice University in Houston, Texas, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Houston, Texas, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #26
  • Materials Sciences: #9 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 29 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Statistics
  • 8 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #27
  • Computer Science: #12 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 28 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Humanities
  • 4 ranking records in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #11
  • Overall: #11 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 29 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Humanities
  • 4 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #15
  • Earth Sciences: #8 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 25 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, English
  • 5 ranking records in 2025

2026

Highlights
2026
  • Best overall country rank: #28
  • Overall: #28 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 7 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Business
  • 3 ranking records in 2026

Contact Information

6100 S Main St Houston Texas 77005

+1-713-348-0000

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

7.8/10
Top Rated

Based on 6 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
9.2/10
Faculty
8.8/10
Infrastructure
8.7/10
Accommodation
7.7/10
Placement
8.2/10
Extracurricular
8.3/10