What Is Rice University Known For?

Rice University has a long reputation as a prestigious institution of higher learning, and it is especially known for its programs in science and engineering. World-class research facilities include the Rice Quantum Institute, the Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, and the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.

Rice’s reputation as a top school extends back to its founding in 1891. It has continued to pioneer new research frontiers, such as when it opened the first space science department in the U.S. in 1963. Below, you can learn about some of Rice’s top programs, notable alums, and total costs to help you decide whether it is a good fit for you.

The undergraduate tuition cost at Rice University for the 2023-2024 academic year is $57,210. Students also pay $920 in mandatory fees. Rice suggests students will need $15,900 for living expenses, including food and housing, plus $1,400 for books and $2,850 for personal expenses.

In total, that’s an annual cost of $78,280. The total average four-year tuition and fees are around $313,000, without accounting for increased costs over time.

However, Rice works with families to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of college. The average first-year financial aid package at Rice University is $57,380, meaning families receiving financial aid are responsible for an average of $20,900 annually.

Rice University is known for its science and engineering programs, including the first space science department in the U.S., which can prepare graduates to pursue jobs at NASA. With a low student-to-faculty ratio of just 6-to-1, Rice offers personalized guidance to its students.

While you can learn more about the most popular programs below, other top degrees from Rice include mechanical engineering, kinesiology and exercise science, bioengineering and biomedical engineering, and biochemistry.

Rice’s computer science department awards more bachelor’s degrees than any other department at the school. The program aims to advance the frontiers of computing through research, education, and service.

Students who enroll in a computer science program take classes like matrix analysis, linear algebra, computational thinking, principles of programming languages, and compiler construction.

Computer science faculty members at Rice have received several prestigious awards, distinctions, and fellowships, including IEEE Frances E. Allen medals, Allen Newell awards, Knuth prizes, and IEEE, Royal Society, and ISCB fellowships.

Rice University’s economics department has seen expansion in recent years through its Rice Initiative for the Study of Economics. It is now a leading institution for the study of structural empirical microeconomics. The department is committed to advancing knowledge in all areas of theoretical, empirical, and applied economics and understanding the implications for public policy.

Economics degree coursework includes microeconomics, macroeconomics, applied econometrics, and game theory. Faculty members have published popular textbooks and many major academic papers.

Rice’s psychological sciences department covers a blend of basic and applied psychology. As the department’s primary emphasis is on research — in both laboratory and applied settings — students can get a first-hand understanding of cutting-edge psychological research.

Research interest groups in the department include cognitive and affective neuroscience, health psychology and behavioral medicine, human factors and human-computer interaction, industrial and organizational psychology, psychometrics, and quantitative psychology.

The curriculum includes classes like social psychology, cognitive psychology, statistical methods and social sciences statistics, and research methods. The faculty are actively involved in research areas like human performance modeling.

Shannon Walker, a Rice University alum (class of 1987), holds a bachelor’s degree in physics, as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in space physics. Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004, she embarked on her first space mission on June 25, 2010, spending over 330 days in space.

Anthony Rendon, a Rice University baseball standout, won the 2010 Dick Howser Trophy. Drafted sixth overall by the Nationals in 2011, Rendon now plays third base for the Los Angeles Angels in MLB. He actively supports charities, particularly in his hometown of Houston.

Jo Ling Kent is a journalist and correspondent for CBS News. With a bachelor’s in history, she has reported for NBC, Fox Business, and CNN, covering topics such as the economy, tech, AI, presidential campaigns, and greater China. She is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Alberto R. Gonzales earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in political science in 1979 from Rice University. Gonzales is a former Texas Secretary of State, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and White House Counsel. Gonzales was the first Hispanic White House Counsel.

Rice University is a highly prestigious and selective university known for its science and engineering programs, but it is not among the eight Ivy League schools. The Ivy League schools are private universities located in the northeastern U.S.

The eight Ivy League schools are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Rice’s heavily wooded campus occupies 300 acres in Houston’s Museum District. Rice is centrally located near shopping areas, cultural hotspots, and medical care facilities.

Rice University is a private institution. It was founded in 1912 as William Marsh Rice University. This private institution had a total enrollment of 8,565 students in 2022. Some of the advantages of Rice University include its world-class research facilities, a beautiful campus, and many private scholarships and grants to support students.