Rice University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Rice University is a highly selective private research university in Houston, Texas, serving roughly 4,776 students. Admission is highly selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 8.00% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $89,718 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $64,144
- 2024 Average Net Price: $13,370 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 8.00% Highly Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,776 97.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 94.64%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 14.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 5.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 16.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 83.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1553
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,048
- Applicants (IPEDS): 31,059
- Room & Board: $18,100 annual estimate
Rice University: what the data shows
Common questions about Rice University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Rice University?
Rice University is located in Houston, TX (ZIP 77005-1827).
NCES locale classification: City.
Is Rice University public or private?
Rice University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Rice University cost?
Published tuition: $64,144.
Average net price after aid: $13,370.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $5,827 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $563 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $3,217 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,755 |
| $110,001+ | $48,466 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $256,576.
How hard is it to get into Rice University?
Admission rate: 8.00%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1553 and midpoint ACT 35.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Rice University?
Total enrollment: 4,776 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,048 students.
Graduate enrollment: 4,172 students.
About 98% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Rice University?
150%-time completion rate: 94.64%.
First-year retention: 97.4%.
What do graduates of Rice University earn?
Median earnings: $79,751 six years after entry; $89,718 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $11,000.
17.03% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Rice University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other (604 completions)
- Computer and Information Sciences, General (349 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (107 completions)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (93 completions)
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering (85 completions)
- Mechanical Engineering (83 completions)
- Psychology, General (68 completions)
- Statistics, General (65 completions)
- Chemistry, General (63 completions)
- Chemical Engineering (62 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Rice University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 8.00%; completion rate 94.64%; median earnings $89,718 at 10 years; net price $13,370. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$64,144
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Rice University was $64,144.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$13,370
2024 Value
In 2024 Rice University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $13,370.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$53,480 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$13,370 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$256,576 4-Year Tuition
$18,100 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,440 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$83,684 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$334,736 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Rice University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
17.03% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
6.47% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Rice University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Rice University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $38,941 | $38,941 | $16,730 |
| 2014 | $40,566 | $40,566 | $16,466 |
| 2015 | $42,253 | $42,253 | $21,024 |
| 2016 | $43,918 | $43,918 | $19,232 |
| 2017 | $45,608 | $45,608 | $20,237 |
| 2018 | $47,350 | $47,350 | $20,879 |
| 2019 | $49,112 | $49,112 | $16,999 |
| 2020 | $51,107 | $51,107 | $16,076 |
| 2021 | $52,895 | $52,895 | $17,805 |
| 2022 | $54,960 | $54,960 | $15,091 |
| 2023 | $58,128 | $58,128 | $12,640 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
8.00% Acceptance Rate
31,059 Total Applicants
2,447 Students Admitted
1,125 First-Time Students Enrolled
45.97% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution is extremely selective, accepting fewer than 1 in 10 applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1553
ACT Average: 35
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.9 - 4.0
Estimated Median GPA: 4.00
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Rice University reported total enrollment of about 4,776 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 50% male and 50% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes Asian (29.1%), White (25.6%), and Hispanic or Latino (16.7%). About 17.03% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 14.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
97.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Rice University in 2024 is 4,776 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,048 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,172 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
97.4%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is Asian at 29.1%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
86.97% 100% Completion Time
94.64% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 86.97% of students graduating from Rice University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 64% male / 36% female
- Computer and Information Sciences, General: 76% male / 24% female
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 39% male / 61% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Rice University.
Return on Investment
$11,000 Median Student Debt
$89,718 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
12.26% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1577.60% Return on Investment
1.2 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Rice University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 79 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 604 completions
2. Computer and Information Sciences, General: 349 completions
3. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 107 completions
4. Electrical and Computer Engineering: 93 completions
5. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering: 85 completions
6. Mechanical Engineering: 83 completions
7. Psychology, General: 68 completions
8. Statistics, General: 65 completions
9. Chemistry, General: 63 completions
Most popular programs at Rice University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Rice University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Rice University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 83.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $18,454
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $47,816
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Rice University is a private non-profit institution located in Houston, TX, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other, Computer and Information Sciences, General, Biology/Biological Sciences, General. Enrollment is approximately 4,776 students. Student body composition includes Asian (29.1%), White (25.6%), Hispanic or Latino (16.7%). It is highly selective, with an admission rate of 8.00%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1553. The 150%-time completion rate is 94.64%. Approximately 17.03% of students receive Pell Grants. About 14.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Houston, TX 77005-1827
Region: Southwest
Insights and Analysis
Exceptional Graduation Rate: With a 94.64% graduation rate, Rice University demonstrates strong student retention and completion. This rate significantly exceeds the national average, indicating effective academic support and student services.
Strong Career Outcomes: Rice University graduates report median earnings of $89,718 ten years after entry, placing them among the higher-earning college graduates nationally. This strong earnings potential reflects both the quality of education and the career opportunities available to graduates.
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 79 distinct degree programs, Rice University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rice University located?
Rice University is located in Houston, TX.
What is Rice University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Rice University is 8.0% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 31,059 applicants and 2,447 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Rice University cost?
Reported tuition is $64,144 and average net price is $13,370 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $18,100 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Rice University?
Rice University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,048 students, Asian (29.1%), White (25.6%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Rice University?
About 14.5% of students at Rice University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Rice University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Rice University reports midpoint SAT about 1553 and midpoint ACT about 35.
What do graduates of Rice University earn?
Median earnings are $79,751 six years after entry and $89,718 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Rice University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 94.6% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Rice University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $11,000.
Is Rice University public or private?
Rice University is a private nonprofit institution located in Houston, TX.
Is Rice University an HBCU?
No. Rice University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Rice University a tribal college?
No. Rice University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Texas college costs
- Texas colleges by ROI
- Houston, Texas city profile
- Southwest regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Texas
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.