Rice University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $91,600 within 10 years; exceptional 95% graduation rate.
About This School
Rice University is a private nonprofit institution located in Houston, Texas with approximately 4,776 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 8%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,370 per year. The graduation rate is 95%, and the typical graduate earns $91,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University, is a private research university in Houston, Texas, United States. Established in 1912, the university spans 300 acres.
This is a strong option for high-achieving students who want a rigorous research university experience without the financial burden — median debt at graduation is just $9,716, and average net price runs about $12,640/year, which is remarkable for a private institution of this caliber. The 96% graduation rate and 98% freshman retention signal that students who get in tend to thrive and stay, not just survive the first year. The catch is obvious: an 8% acceptance rate makes this a long shot for most applicants, so treat it as a reach and build your list accordingly.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 32% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Rice University graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer and Information Sciences, General ($182,443 vs $92,374 nationally), and most below it in Cognitive Science ($66,913 vs $81,496).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 164 | $182,443 | $92,374 | +$90,069 |
| Economics | 88 | $129,575 | $82,686 | +$46,889 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 65 | $108,970 | $92,135 | +$16,835 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 53 | $87,404 | $54,562 | +$32,842 |
| Cognitive Science | 44 | $66,913 | $81,496 | −$14,583 |
| Chemical Engineering | 29 | $113,605 | $98,158 | +$15,447 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 29 | $121,099 | $93,451 | +$27,648 |
| Political Science and Government | 28 | $87,804 | $63,293 | +$24,511 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 15 | $136,656 | $100,647 | +$36,009 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (4,776 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Rice University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Rice University?
Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Rice University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 8%, Rice University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does Rice University cost?
The average net price at Rice University is about $13,370 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Rice University?
Rice University has a graduation rate of 95%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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