Campus Identity
Rice University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Houston, TX. Approximately 4,776 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 8% acceptance rate. Lake Houston is about 21 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
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At a Glance
Rice University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Houston, TX. Approximately 4,776 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 8% acceptance rate. Lake Houston is about 21 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Rice University is a 5,000–9,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and an active Greek scene. The campus is 674 miles from Snow Creek Ski Area.
Athletics
NCAA D1
American Athletic
Greek Life
Active Organizations
Fraternities & sororities present
School Size & Setting
5,000–9,999
Urban setting
Weather
Hot Climate
66°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Rice University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Creek Ski Area, 674 miles away with 6 lifts and 30 skiable acres. All are within 827 miles of campus.
Missouri
Nearby Lake
Lake Houston is 21 miles from campus, giving Rice University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Lake Houston
Lake access within 20.5 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Houston, TX
Houston has a warm climate, with winters averaging 54°F in Jan and summers peaking around 86°F in Aug.
Station: HOUSTON PORT · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Rice University in TX earns a composite safety score of 40/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $64,144 |
| Fees | $1,150 |
| Room & Board | $18,100 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $83,394 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
137 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Rice University located?
Rice University is located in Houston, TX. The main campus address is 6100 S Main St, Houston, TX. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Rice University?
Rice University has an acceptance rate of 8%, making it extremely selective. Out of 32,473 applicants, 2,597 were admitted in the most recent year. 4,776 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Rice University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Rice University scored between 34 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 35. About 22% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Rice University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Rice University charges $64,144/year in tuition. Including room and board ($18,100/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $53,220/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,370/year — what students actually pay. Use Rice University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Rice University?
The undergraduate application fee at Rice University is $75. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Rice University have college sports?
Yes — Rice University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the American Athletic. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.
Is Rice University the right fit for me?
Whether Rice University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (8% admit rate), avg net price ($13,370/year after aid), campus culture in Houston, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Rice University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Rice University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Private
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Size
- 5,000–9,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- American Athletic
- School Year Weather
- Hot · 66°F avg
- App Fee
- $75
- On Campus Safety Score
- 40/100
- Nearest Airport
- Houston, TX (HOU) · 9 mialso EFD (17 mi), SGR (17 mi)
Location
Houston, TX