Rice University | Courses, campus, and more

Rice University is famous for its pathbreaking research

With its 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University ranks among the top 20 universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system that provides intellectual, emotional, and cultural support to students through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Creating close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice has high rankings among private universities for the best quality of life and value.

Rice University | A brief overview

Rice University has been developing unconventional wisdom that transforms students’ lives and contributes to a better world for over 100 years. Rice University is a research university that has a high national ranking with highly regarded schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Rice University’s residential college system fosters close-knit communities and long-lasting friendships. Rice University lies on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, just minutes from downtown Houston, the Museum District, and the world’s largest medical center.

Founded in 1912, Rice University’s original name was William Marsh Rice Institute. It is a research university with an undergraduate focus. Its 6:1 student-faculty ratio demonstrates its emphasis on undergraduate education. With $156 million in sponsored research funding in 2019, the university has a very high level of research activity.

Rice University is well-known for its applied science programs in artificial heart research, structural chemical analysis, signal processing, space science, and nanotechnology. Rice University has been a member of the Association of American Universities since 1985 and is classified as ‘R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity.’

The Wiess School of Natural Sciences, the George R. Brown School of Engineering, the School of Social Sciences, the School of Architecture, the Shepherd School of Music, and the School of Humanities are among the eleven residential colleges and eight academic schools at the university. Rice’s undergraduate program offers more than fifty majors and two dozen minors, as well as the opportunity to pursue multiple degree programs. The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies offer additional graduate programs.

Rice students are bound by the Honor Code, which is enforced by the Honor Council, which is run by students. Rice participates in 14 NCAA Division I varsity sports and is a member of Conference USA, where it frequently competes with its cross-town rival, the University of Houston. Intramural and club sports are available in a wide range of activities, including jiu-jitsu, water polo, and crew.

More than a dozen Marshall Scholars and a dozen Rhodes Scholars have graduated from the university. Due to its close ties to NASA, the university has produced a significant number of astronauts and space scientists. Rice graduates include CEOs, Fortune 500 company founders, and three billionaires.

Campus

Rice University’s campus is located on 300 acres of tree-lined land on South Main Street in Houston’s Museum District. Rice University’s residential college system is the beating heart of campus life. At Rice University, each college is self-sufficient, with its own government, budget, intramural teams, and faculty advisers. Rice University campus life includes student-run businesses supported by the Student Center, Rice Coffeehouse, campus store, farmers’ market, and over 200 student organizations, including performance, media, athletic, academic, religious, cultural, and political organizations. There are also sports facilities, concerts, public art, and much more. Rice University campus life provides students with an excellent opportunity to form bonds and grow as students and individuals. The Princeton Review ranked Rice University first for quality of life, demonstrating the caliber of campus life.

Courses

Rice University offers over 50 majors across six academic divisions, including architecture, engineering, humanities, music, and so on. Rice University courses provide a comprehensive and rigorous academic curriculum, as well as numerous opportunities for research. Rice University fees for 2022-23 average around $74,110, which includes tuition, room and board, books, and other expenses.

Courses are available in the following study areas

Social sciences

• Sociology
• Politics & International Studies (incl Development Studies)

Business & Economics

• Business & Management
• Economics & Econometrics
• Accounting & Finance
• Computer science

Life sciences

• Sports Science
• Biological Sciences

Arts & humanities

• Architecture
• Languages, Literature & Linguistics
• Art, Performing Arts & Design
• Archaeology
• History, Philosophy & Theology

Engineering & technology

• Electrical & Electronic Engineering
• General Engineering
• Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering

Physical sciences

• Geology, Environmental, Earth & Marine Sciences
• Physics & Astronomy
• Mathematics & Statistics
• Chemistry

Clinical, pre-clinical & health

• Medicine & Dentistry
• Other Health
• Psychology

Popular courses

Arts and Humanities

• B.A. in Architecture
• BA in Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations – Archaeological Methods and Theory
• BA in Architectural Studies
• BA in Art History – Art History Major – History of Architecture Track
• BA in Art History – Regular Art History Major
• BA in Art History – Transfer Credit

Business & Management

• BA in Managerial Studies
• BA in Sport Management

Engineering and Technology

• BA in Chemical Engineering
• BA in Computer Science
• BA in Electrical Engineering – Computer Engineering
• BA in Electrical Engineering – Neuroengineering
• BA in Electrical Engineering – Photonics, Electronics, and Nano devices
• BA in Electrical Engineering – Systems: Control, Communication, and Signal Processing

Life Sciences and Medicine

• BA in Anthropology – Anthropological archaeology Track
• BA in Anthropology – Social cultural anthropology Track
• BA in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• BA in Biological Sciences
• BA in Cognitive Sciences – Linguistics
• BA in Cognitive Sciences – Neuroscience

Natural Sciences

• BA in Astronomy
• BA in Chemistry
• BA in Computational and Applied Mathematics
• BA in Earth Science
• BA in Environmental Science
• BA in Mathematics

Rankings

• QS World University Rankings- 100
• QS WUR Ranking by Subject- 242
• US UNI (universities)- 23

Alumni

The Association of Rice Alumni (ARA) connects the university and its alumni. Rice University has 81,813 leaders and innovators among its alumni.

Notable alumni

• Howard Hughes (aviator, engineer, industrialist, film producer, and director)
• Alberto Gonzales (former U.S. Attorney General)
• Josh Earnest (former White House Press Secretary)
• John Kline (U.S. Congressman)
• Peggy Whitson (NASA astronaut)
• Lance Berkman (MLB player)
• Robert Woodrow Wilson (Nobel laureate)

Key takeaways

• Rice University believes in developing unconventional wisdom that transforms students’ lives for over 100 years. It has a high national ranking with highly regarded schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering, and so on.
• Rice University provides over 50 majors across six academic divisions, including architecture, engineering, humanities, music, natural and social sciences. Rice provides courses with a rigorous academic curriculum, as well as numerous opportunities for research.
• Rice University’s campus spans 300 acres of tree-lined land on South Main Street in Houston’s Museum District. At Rice, each college is self-sufficient, with its own government, budget, and intramural teams.

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FAQs

Q1. Is Rice considered an Ivy League school?

Ans- The Ivy League is a group of eight private colleges in the United States Northeast. Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is not an Ivy League member.

Rice University is a Research I university known for its high-quality undergraduate education and active research program.

Q2. What GPA do you need to get into Rice University?

Ans- In general, applicants should have a 3.0 (B) or higher grade point average in their undergraduate work.

Q3. What is Rice University’s acceptance rate?

Ans- Rice University’s acceptance rate is 10.9%