Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large city

Rice University

Houston, Texas. 4,776 undergraduates. Admits 8% of applicants.

95%Graduation rate41 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$11,164Average net price per year44% below the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$90,773Median earnings 10 years after starting54% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$13,000Median debt at graduation40% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($13,000) equals 14% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($90,773). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$5,707
$30,000–$48,000$1,524
$48,001–$75,000$5,420
$75,001–$110,000$14,522
Over $110,000$40,188

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $67,857.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate95%54%
Return for second year97%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$91,527$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$90,773$58,912
Median debt at graduation$13,000$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

125 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer and Information Sciences, General166$156,465$213,121$9,502
Economics72$86,485$138,594$15,000
Biomedical/Medical Engineering43—$132,183—
Chemical Engineering22$87,768$114,294—
Mechanical Engineering60$84,706$107,190$5,500
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering20$103,698——
Political Science and Government30$74,976$97,702—
Sociology17$37,283$78,989—
Cognitive Science36—$73,625—
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness32$48,301$70,646—
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology0$37,890$63,264—
English Language and Literature, General24$44,410$56,497—
Psychology, General49$49,861——
Biology, General107$33,555—$11,998
Natural Resources Conservation and Research5———
Architecture22———
Architectural Sciences and Technology16———
Area Studies12———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies1———
Civil Engineering14———
Operations Research11———
Electrical and Computer Engineering16———
Nanotechnology10———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services10———
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics1———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics15———
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics3———
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences39———
Neurobiology and Neurosciences33———
Mathematics29———
Applied Mathematics13———
Statistics31———
Medieval and Renaissance Studies2———
Classical and Ancient Studies2———
Philosophy15———
Religion/Religious Studies2———
Astronomy and Astrophysics3———
Chemistry27———
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences3———
Physics15———
Public Policy Analysis33———
Social Sciences, General5———
Anthropology9———
Visual and Performing Arts, General27———
Fine and Studio Arts12———
Music26———
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General30———
Business Administration, Management and Operations2———
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods65———
History24———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

8%Admission rate
1,553Average SAT of admitted students
34–35ACT middle 50%
6:1Students per faculty member
22%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in Texas

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Rice University cost per year?
The average net price at Rice University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $11,164 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Rice University graduates earn?
Former Rice University students earn a median of $90,773 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Rice University?
95% of Rice University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Rice University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Rice University is $13,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.