You’re thinking about applying to Rice University and want the inside scoop. What’s it really like to be an Owl? Is Rice’s residential college system all it’s cracked up to be? And what’s with the beer bikes cruising around campus? Don’t worry, we’ve got everything you need to know about life at this prestigious Houston university. From academics to social life to famous alumni, we’ll give you a comprehensive look at what makes Rice tick. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll understand why Rice students are fond of saying they have “the best four years surrounded by a 20-minute loop.” So join us on a virtual tour of one of the country’s top universities—no beer bike required!
An Overview of Rice University in Houston, TX
Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Founded in 1912, Rice has a prestigious reputation and ranks among the top universities in the U.S.
Rice has a beautiful 300-acre campus in the heart of Houston that is filled with live oaks and red brick buildings. The campus has a traditional collegiate feel with Georgian-style architecture. Some of the must-see spots on campus include the quad, the Sallyport archway, and the Brochstein Pavilion.
Rice offers top-ranked undergraduate majors in areas like engineering, natural sciences, humanities, music, and business. Rice is especially well known for its programs in engineering, political science, and economics. Rice also has highly ranked graduate programs, including the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business.
Outside the classroom, Rice has over 200 student organizations and club sports teams to get involved in. Rice is part of NCAA Division I athletics and the Owls football team plays at Rice Stadium. You can also catch performances at the Shepherd School of Music and various theater groups on campus.
Rice has a relatively small student population with only about 4,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students. This allows for small class sizes and close interaction with professors. Rice is also very selective, with an acceptance rate of only about 15%. However, Rice offers generous financial aid to admitted students including full tuition waivers for those with a family income under $200,000.
Overall, Rice University provides an exceptional education in a personalized setting. Between the prestigious academics, beautiful campus, school traditions, and small community feel, Rice has so much to offer as a place to learn and grow over the next four years. If you’re looking for a top-ranked university with a balance of challenging academics and quality of life, put Rice at the top of your college list.
Why Study at Rice University?
Rice University is a private research university known for its top-ranked academics and majors. With over 50 majors and minors across six schools, there are many paths to choose from.
Diverse Range of Majors
Rice has a wide array of majors that span arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering. Some of the most popular majors are:
Computer Science – Learn to code and build innovative tech solutions. Rice’s CS program is ranked #17 in the U.S.
Economics – Study how societies allocate scarce resources and interact with global economies.
Bioengineering – Combine biology and engineering to improve human health. Rice’s bioengineering major is ranked #3 in the U.S.
English – Explore literature and develop strong writing and communication skills.
Political Science – Analyze political institutions, behavior and political philosophy.
Rice also has unique majors like space physics, nanoscale physics, and medieval studies. With over 20 engineering majors alone, there are many options if you have a technical or scientific mind.
World-Class Faculty
Rice professors are leading experts in their fields. The student to faculty ratio is 6:1, so you’ll get to know your professors and receive personalized support. Many faculty are pioneering innovative research that undergrads can participate in.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Rice cultivates an interdisciplinary environment where students and faculty from diverse fields collaborate. You can design your own major by combining multiple disciplines. Or choose minors and concentrations outside your major field of study.
Research Opportunities
Undergrads at Rice can participate in groundbreaking research alongside top faculty. Whether you major in the humanities, social sciences or STEM fields, there are opportunities to contribute to important research. Some students even publish papers with their professors or receive research grants and scholarships.
Rice’s outstanding academics, world-class faculty and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration provide an environment where students can thrive and reach their full potential. With a diverse range of innovative majors and minors, you’ll find your intellectual passion at Rice.
Rice University Majors, Minors, and Certificates: A Comprehensive Rundown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of all the majors, minors, and certificate programs offered by Rice University, as listed on their website:
Undergraduate Majors:
School of Architecture:
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
George R. Brown School of Engineering:
Bioengineering (B.S.)
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (B.S.)
Civil and Environmental Engineering (B.S.)
Computational Applied Mathematics and Operations Research (B.S.)
Computer Science (B.S.)
Data Science (B.S.)
Electrical and Computer Engineering (B.S.)
Energy and Water Sustainability (B.S.)
Engineering Design (B.S.)
Engineering Leadership (B.S.)
Financial Computation and Modeling (B.S.)
Global Health Technologies (B.S.)
Materials Science and NanoEngineering (B.S.)
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
Operations Research (B.S.)
Statistics (B.S.)
Wiess School of Natural Sciences:
Astronomy (B.S.)
Astrophysics (B.S.)
Biochemistry and Cell Biology (B.S.)
Biosciences (B.S.)
Chemical Physics (B.S.)
Chemistry (B.S.)
Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (B.S.)
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (B.S.)
Environmental Science (B.S.)
Health Sciences (B.S.)
Kinesiology (B.S.)
Mathematics (B.S.)
Neuroscience (B.S.)
Physics and Astronomy (B.S.)
Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology (B.S.)
School of Humanities:
Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations (B.A.)
Art History (B.A.)
Asian Studies (B.A.)
Classics (B.A.)
English (B.A.)
European Studies (B.A.)
French Studies (B.A.)
German Studies (B.A.)
History (B.A.)
Latin American Studies (B.A.)
Medieval and Early Modern Studies (B.A.)
Philosophy (B.A.)
Religion (B.A.)
Spanish and Portuguese (B.A.)
Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality (B.A.)
School of Music:
Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Performance, Composition, and Music Education
School of Social Sciences:
Anthropology (B.A.)
Cognitive Sciences (B.A.)
Economics (B.A.)
Linguistics (B.A.)
Managerial Sciences (B.A.)
Mathematical Economic Analysis (B.A.)
Political Science (B.A.)
Psychological Sciences (B.A.)
Social Policy Analysis (B.A.)
Sociology (B.A.)
Sport Analytics (B.A.)
Sport Management (B.A.)
Undergraduate Minors:
Rice offers a wide range of undergraduate minors across various disciplines. You can find the complete list on their website at https://oaa.rice.edu/academic-planning/majors-and-minors.
Graduate Degrees:
Rice offers over 60 Master’s programs, 30 PhD programs, and several professional degrees like the JD, MBA, MD, and MDiv. You can find the complete list of graduate programs on their website at https://ga.rice.edu/programs-study/departments-programs/.
Certificates:
Rice offers several graduate-level certificates in various fields. You can find the complete list of certificates on their website at https://glasscock.rice.edu/.
Please note: This list is subject to change. You should always consult the official Rice University website for the latest information on academic programs and admissions requirements.
Campus Life at Rice: Clubs, Sports, and Activities
Rice University has over 200 student organizations and clubs, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in academics, arts, athletics, service, student government or just about anything else, you’ll find your tribe.
Clubs and Organizations
With so many clubs, you’ll never run out of new interests to pursue. Join cultural groups, pre-professional societies, social justice groups or start your own club. Some of the most popular clubs are Student Association, campus radio station KTRU, Rice Program Council, and Rice Student Volunteer Program.
Sports Teams
Rice has 16 NCAA Division I sports teams competing in Conference USA. Cheer on the Owls at football, basketball, baseball and volleyball games. Rice also has club and intramural sports like soccer, tennis, quidditch, and inner tube water polo. With the on-campus Recreation Center and outdoor fields, there are plenty of ways to get active and make friends.
Traditions
Rice is big on traditions that bring students together. Willy Week in the Spring and Beer Bike in the Fall are two of the most popular. Beer Bike has students riding tricycles while chugging beer to raise money for charity. Other traditions include building an elaborate homecoming parade float, decorating academic buildings, O-Week for freshmen, and painting the Sallyport before graduation.
Between the clubs, sports teams and time-honored traditions, you’ll quickly find your place in the Rice community. The campus culture fosters tight-knit friendships and life-long connections. You’ll graduate with memories to last a lifetime.
Rice University Admissions: What It Takes to Get In
Getting into Rice University is extremely competitive. As a top private research university, Rice receives many more applications than it can accept. To give yourself the best chance of admission, you’ll need to aim high and work hard throughout high school.
Rice considers several factors holistically when evaluating applicants. Your high school grades and standardized test scores like the SAT and ACT are important, but not the only measures of your potential. Rice also wants to see that you’ve challenged yourself by taking advanced, AP, or IB courses in core subjects. Participating in extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internships, or work experience can demonstrate your passions and interests outside the classroom.
When it comes time to apply, be sure to convey why Rice is the right school for you. In your application essay, discuss experiences that have shaped your interests and goals. Explain how Rice’s programs and opportunities match your objectives. Visiting campus, if possible, and meeting with admissions staff or professors in departments you’re interested in can help strengthen your essay and application.
Once you’ve submitted your application, the waiting begins. Rice aims to notify all applicants of their decision by April 1st. Accepted students usually have until May 1st to confirm their enrollment.
If admitted, prepare to work hard at Rice. While the campus culture is collaborative rather than cutthroat competitive, Rice’s academics are challenging. The good news is Rice provides many resources to help students succeed, from advising to tutoring to mental health counseling. With determination and by taking advantage of all the support available, you’ll thrive at Rice.
Rice produces innovative leaders and scholars who go on to amazing careers and make a real difference in the world. If you’re up for the challenge, Rice just might be the perfect place for you. Work hard, dream big, and don’t get discouraged. You’ve got this!
Rice University Tuition, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Rice University is a private university, so tuition and fees can seem expensive, averaging around $50,000 per year. However, Rice is actually quite generous with financial aid and scholarships. Over 70% of undergraduates receive some form of financial assistance.
Tuition and Fees
For the 2019-2020 school year, tuition is $44,966 and room and board is $14,282. Additional fees for activities and health insurance add a couple thousand dollars.
As a private university, Rice is able to offer generous merit scholarships and need-based grants. The average Rice student receives over $38,000 in aid.
Scholarships and Grants
Rice offers both merit-based and need-based scholarships. Merit scholarships are awarded based on a student’s grades, test scores, talents, and interests. Amounts range from $2,000 up to the full cost of attendance.
Need-based grants are offered based on a family’s financial situation. The Rice Investment is the university’s flagship need-based grant and can cover up to the full cost of attendance for the most in-need students.
Many scholarships and grants can be combined. An exceptional student from a low-income family could receive enough aid to cover the entire cost of attending Rice.
Student Loans and Work-Study
For students with remaining financial need, Rice offers access to federal student loans and work-study programs. Work-study allows students to earn money through part-time jobs on campus.
Rice also offers loan repayment assistance and loan forgiveness programs for students pursuing certain careers like teaching, nursing, and research.
The high cost of any private college can be daunting. But Rice University’s generous financial aid, scholarships, grants and student employment programs aim to make an elite education affordable and accessible to all admitted students, regardless of their economic backgrounds. With some time and effort put into applying for aid, most students find Rice to be quite affordable.
Conclusion
So that wraps up some of the key details about Rice you’ll want to know if you’re considering applying or just want to learn more. With small class sizes, top-ranked academics across various majors, Division I athletics, and a beautiful campus in the heart of Houston, it offers a lot for students looking for that medium-sized school vibe with big resources and opportunities. As one of the top universities in not just Texas but the whole country, Rice can provide you a world-class education if you’re willing to work hard and take advantage of all it has to offer. Hopefully this gives you a helpful jumping off point if Rice is on your radar!