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Rice University

Houston, United States

  • Cost of Living$ 18,108
  • Tuition Fee From$ 20,100
  • Country Rank-
  • Batch Strength6,885
  • Global Diversity28%
  • Gender Ratio43 : 57

Overview

About

Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is a world-class private research university that was founded with the goal of attaining the highest academic standards. The institute was established in 1912 with 77 students and 12 faculty members. Rice's first degree was awarded in 1918. Since its founding, the institution has grown by leaps and bounds to where it is now, earning global acclaim and the respect of students from all over the world. The institution's main campus is situated on 300 acres of property in Houston's Museum District. Furthermore, the institution offers a residential college structure, which serves as the campus's beating heart.

 

Rice's schools are self-sufficient, with their own administration, budget, intramural teams, and financial counsellors. The institution offers over 50 majors throughout six divisions of study. The college offers courses through a strong academic programme with several research areas. The following schools offer courses at the university. -

  1. School of Architecture
  2. Jones Graduate School of Business
  3. George R. Brown School of Engineering
  4. School of Humanities
  5. The Shepherd School of Music
  6. Wiess School of Natural Sciences
  7. School of Social Sciences

 

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, each student receives personalised attention. Furthermore, ISAR - Indian Students At Rice - is a distinct organisation for Indian students at the institution. This organisation seeks to assist Indian students, promote Indian culture, and strengthen relationships with the Indian-American community. The university also maintains an alumni association called the Association of Rice Alumni (ARA), which connects current students with alumni. Rice University's proud alumnae include about 81,813 leaders and inventors.

 

Ranking

US News & World Report 2024:

Rice University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #180 position.

 

QS World University Ranking 2024:

Rice University has shown excellence by securing =119 spot on the global scale.

 

Rice is ranked in the top 20 universities in the United States by US News & World Report because of its value statement - RICE (Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence). In independent annual surveys, Rice University's rankings can be seen as among the best colleges in the country. Rice has been designated one of the nation's top 10 institutions in recently revealed WalletHub rankings, coming in seventh in the financial publication's ranks of the finest universities throughout the country and first in Texas. Furthermore, the university climbed to No. 15 in the most recent edition of U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" guidebook, the most carefully followed list of the nation's higher education institutions. Rice was recently ranked sixth in the nation overall by Niche. Some of the other prominent ranking highlights of the university are listed below -

 

  • THE University Rankings 2022 - #136
  • US News - National Universities Rankings 2022 - #17
  • Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022 - #101 - 150
  • Washington Monthly’s Annual College & University Rankings 2022 - #73
  • Forbes: America’s Top Colleges Rankings 2022 - #24
  • The Wall Street Journal Rankings 2022 - #18

 

Course-Wise Rankings

Rice University courses are well-known and have been recognized by several renowned platforms based on a set of widely recognized criteria. Niche ranked the university first for students majoring in architecture, sports administration, kinesiology and physical therapy. Some of the best courses, as well as their rankings, are mentioned below -

 

Business Courses

  • QS Rankings - Global MBA 2022 - #84
  • THE Rankings - PG Business & Economics 2022 - #101 - 125
  • US News - MBA Entrepreneurship 2022 - #10
  • US News - MBA Finance 2022 - #36

 

Engineering Courses

  • THE Ranking - PG Engineering & Technology 2022 - #53
  • US News - Best UG Biomedical Engineering Schools 2022 - #11
  • US News - PG Civil Engineering 2022 - #20
  • US News - PG Biomedical Engineering 2022 - #10

 

Computer Courses

  • THE PG Computers 2022 - #77
  • US News - Computers Engineering 2022 - #22

 

Science Courses

  • THE Life Sciences Rankings 2022 - #151 - 175
  • THE Psychology Rankings 2022 - #201 - 250

 

Humanities Courses

  • THE Arts & Humanities Courses 2022 - #201 - 250

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2025

#141

-

2023

#100

#180

2022

#94

#180

Facilities

Rice's campus life is dynamic and vibrant, with a myriad of activities and events taking place throughout the year. The Princeton Review placed the university first for its quality of life, reflecting the level of living. The abundance of Rice University facilities allows students to go beyond their studies and into leadership or management roles. The student-run organizations on campus are supported by the Student Center, Rice Coffeehouse, Campus Store, Farmers Market, and more than 200 organisations. The following are some of the most significant amenities and resources that students commonly use -

 

  • Rice Dining Facilities
  • Student Groups & Associations
  • Arts & Events
  • Rice Recreation & Fitness
  • Public Art
  • Rice Athletics
  • Residential Colleges
  • On-Campus Housing

Notable Alumni

John Doerr
John Doerr
American Venture Capitalist
Peggy Whitson
Peggy Whitson
American Astronaut
Annise Parker
Annise Parker
Former Mayor of Houston

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

Rice University’s acceptance rate stands at 9% on average, implying that admission to the university is highly challenging. Applicants who are eager to be admitted to the institution can take advantage of the binding early decision process to increase their chances of admission. In the most recent admissions, although 50% of approved candidates were from Texas, 37% of enrolled students were from other US states or territories, and 13% were overseas students. So, while international students have a good chance of being admitted, it is critical that students follow all applicable requirements in order for their application to stand out from the crowd.

 

Learn More About: Rice University Acceptance Rate

 

 

Entry Requirements

Rice University's admissions process is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of roughly 9%. The institution evaluates applications holistically in order to enrol a varied cohort of students from all around the world. Applications to universities must be submitted in full, including all requirements and well-written SOPs and LORs. Depending on the level of the degree, a candidate should have at least a 3.5 GPA (89-93%) in high school and a 3.0 GPA (83-86%) in bachelor's. Apart from the GPA scores, the following are some of the other major Rice University entry requirements -

 

  • A fully-filled application form
  • A non-refundable application fee of $75
  • Official Academic Transcripts of high school/university
  • Letter (s) of Recommendation
  • English Language Proficiency Scores - IELTS: 7.0; TOEFL PBT: 575; TOEFL iBT: 90 to 100; Duolingo: 120
  • International Student Financial Statement
  • Rice Supplement - An essay & RICE Box
  • GRE/GMAT Scores - if applicable
  • Any other country-specific or course-specific requirements

 

Fees

Students seeking admission to the institution will be asked to pay fees for several categories. Rice University fees may differ depending on the course and degree. Many factors influence the overall tuition fees at the university. Rice's total cost of attendance is based on a full-time, degree-seeking student living on campus. Freshmen are additionally charged $325 during Orientation Week. There is also a $450 bed and board cost if the student remains on campus during orientation. Furthermore, students must have health insurance coverage while enrolled. The Rice Student Health Insurance Plan is a separate, billable payment that is not included in the normal Cost of Attendance. Some of the most popular courses at the university along with their average annual fees are listed below -

 

  • MBA - $71,809
  • MCS - $55,339
  • Master of Civil & Environmental Engineering - $55,339
  • BS Computer Science - $58,259
  • MS Mechanical Engineering - $56,909
  • Master of Computational Science & Engineering - $55,339

 

 

English Proficiency Requirements

Foreign nationals who apply to Rice University must comply with the English language requirements as stated on the university website. In order to show proof of language proficiency, applicants can show proof of any of the following -

  1. Proof of degree from any accredited US high school, college, or university
  2. TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo minimum scores
  3. Evidence of completion or expected completion of a post-secondary degree from an institution where the official medium of instruction was English

 

Students from specific countries as well as institutes where the official language of instruction is English are exempted from appearing for the test. However, it is recommended that applicants check with the university portal to make sure of this. The tabular column below lists the minimum Rice University IELTS requirements or any other tests that are taken into consideration -

 

Test

Minimum Scores

TOEFL iBT

90 - 100

IELTS

7.0

TOEFL PBT

575

Duolingo

120

 

 

Placements

To help students get hired by prominent employers, the Rice University placement drives are organised on campus each year. Graduates make an annual average income of $86,000. The offer-rate for Rice MBA graduates in 2021 was 97%. Within three months of graduation, all of the overseas MBA students had landed at least one job. The starting pay for students was on average 131,000 USD annually. Top companies employing Rice MBA grads include -

  1. Amazon
  2. Accenture Strategy
  3. Ernst & Young
  4. Goldman Sachs
  5. Google
  6. Capital One
  7. Tesla
  8. Dell
  9. Deloitte

 

Scholarship

Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by Rice University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the Rice University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
 

  • Merit-based scholarships
  • Need-based scholarships
  • Country-specific scholarships
  • College-specific scholarships
  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend Rice University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the Rice University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

Houston, Texas is an excellent place for international students to live and study. The city offers a welcoming living environment for its citizens, right from housing prestigious universities such as Rice University to providing a vibrant nightlife. Houston, Texas's largest city, has excellent student accommodation. The cost of living in Houston is determined by the student's choice of student housing, food, entertainment, transportation, and personal lifestyle. The table below outlines the many expenses that one may incur while attending university and living in a new city as an international student.

 

Particulars

Cost (Monthly)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

$912

On-Campus Accommodation

$1009

Transportation

$119

Food Cost

$287

Utility Cost

$159

Entertainment

$48

Groceries

$48

Clothes

$95

Health Insurance

$80

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

1,728

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

1,845

Annual Cost of Living

$20,976

FAQs