Rice University

Rice University admits approximately 7.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 13 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Rice among the most selective universities in the United States, with admission standards in the Most Selective category (less than 10%).

The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Rice's selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private research universities, Rice's acceptance rate falls well below average, making admission highly competitive for all applicants regardless of qualifications.

This level of selectivity means that many exceptionally qualified students—those with near-perfect test scores and outstanding academic records—face significant uncertainty in the admission process. Students who would excel at Rice do not receive admission due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited spots.

For this reason, students considering Rice should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. Treating Rice as a reach school regardless of qualifications represents sound application strategy, and the alternatives sections below provide options that deliver similar post-graduation outcomes with more accessible admission processes.

Rice University's published cost of attendance is $74,110 per year, including $58,128 in tuition, $15,900 for room and board, and $1,400 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $12,640 after financial aid, representing savings of $61,470 from the sticker price.

This substantial discount reflects Rice's strong endowment and commitment to affordability across income levels. The average net price of $12,640 stands well below the peer median of $27,143, indicating that Rice provides more generous financial aid than comparable selective institutions.

Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $3,221 for families earning under $30,000 annually to $39,303 for those earning over $110,000. This progressive pricing structure demonstrates Rice's commitment to economic access while maintaining its educational quality.

The 83% discount from sticker price to average net price illustrates how misleading published costs can be for families evaluating college affordability, making Rice surprisingly accessible for students who qualify for need-based aid.

Rice University graduates achieve exceptional earnings growth and stability over time. Median earnings progress from $79,751 six years after enrollment to $78,690 at eight years and $89,718 at ten years, representing 12.5% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect data from cohorts ranging from 373 graduates at six years to 552 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $991 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Rice at the 60.0th percentile for value-added performance.

Low-income graduates earn $86,100, ranking at the 95.0th percentile nationally and demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for admitted students from lower-income backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $62,982 at the 25th percentile to $143,920 at the 75th percentile, indicating significant variation across programs and career paths.

Approximately 27.8% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education. These outcomes position Rice among the strongest institutions nationally for long-term economic prospects.

Rice University offers 19 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Artificial Intelligence leads with exceptional performance, ranking #4 nationally and #1 in Texas, producing 125 graduates with median earnings of $172,391 and an outstanding value score of 98.5.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering ranks #7 nationally and #1 in Texas, graduating 38 students with median earnings of $139,102. Exercise Science and Kinesiology demonstrates strong value despite lower absolute earnings, ranking #4 nationally and #1 in Texas with 102 graduates earning $62,105 and achieving a value score of 98.6.

Applied Economics ranks #67 nationally and #2 in Texas, graduating 86 students with median earnings of $88,145. Psychology, General stands out with a #10 national ranking and #1 state ranking, graduating 50 students with median earnings of $57,256 and a strong value score of 97.4.

The concentration of top-ranked programs across diverse fields demonstrates Rice's academic strength beyond its engineering reputation.