Rice University Tuition and Fees

Rice University Tuition

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      By Susan Guillory

      (Last Updated – 06/2023)

      Total Cost of Attendance

      Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is one of the top-ranked private universities in the country. Rice has a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and a dynamic campus life.

      Rice University tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $54,960. This is substantially higher than the national average of $37,641 for tuition and fees at private universities.

      Costs for 2022-2023

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $54,960

      $54,960

      Books & Supplies

      $1,350

      $1,350

      Room & Board

      $15,000

      $15,000

      Other Expenses

      $2,800

      $2,800

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $74,110

      $74,110

      Financial Aid

      A full 70% of students use financial aid to help with the Rice University cost. This includes student loans, scholarships, and grants.

      Explore financial aid options: Texas Student Loan & Scholarships.

      Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

      The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

      •  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

      •  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

      •  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

      •  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

      Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

      You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

      •  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

      •  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

      •  Scholarship Search Tool

      Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

      Private Student Loans

      At Rice University, 9% of students took out federal student loans, and 2% took out private student loans that averaged $24,340 to help with Rice University tuition.

      Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

      What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

      Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

      If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

      Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

      Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

      The Rice University cost for four years, based on 2022-23 numbers, would be $296,440. In comparison, the average cost for a four-year degree at a private institution is $218,004.

      Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

      Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition & Fees

      $54,960

      $54,960

      Room & Board

      $15,000

      $15,000

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $69,960

      $69,960

      The total Rice University cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, totaled $69,960 for undergraduates in 2022-23.

      Graduate Tuition and Fees

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Tuition

      $51,634

      $51,634

      Fees

      $708

      $708

      Total Cost of Attendance

      $52,342

      $52,342

      The Rice cost to attend graduate school was $51,634 in 2022-23. This is lower than the average cost of graduate school at a private university, which is 62,100.

      There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

      Cost per Credit Hour

      Students can choose part-time enrollment at Rice and pay per credit hour. The cost of Rice University per credit hour is $2,254. In addition, there is a part-time enrollment fee of $175.

      Campus Housing Expenses

      Costs for 2022-23

      Student Type

      In-State

      Out-State

      Books & Supplies

      $1,350

      $1,350

      Room & Board

      $15,000

      $1,406/mo*

      Other Expenses

      $2,800

      $2,800

      *Average rate based on available one-bedroom apartments listed on the University of Rice’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

      Although Rice students aren’t required to live on campus, the university’s residential life centers around the 11 colleges on campus. The idea is to make it easier to get to know other students in your area of study.

      For those who prefer to live off-campus, there are many apartments, duplexes, and houses located nearby.

      Rice University Acceptance Rate

      Fall 2021

      Number of Applications

      Number Accepted

      Percentage Accepted

      29,544

      2,658

      9%

      The Rice University acceptance rate is low. Only 9% of the students who apply to Rice are accepted.

      Admission Requirements

      Interested in applying to Rice? Here’s what you’ll need to supply along with your application.

      Required:

      •  High school transcript

      •  Letter of recommendation from school counselor and 2 teachers

      •  Rice writing supplement (essay)

      Recommended:

      •  SAT or ACT scores

      •  Rice Senior Interview

      •  Alumni Interview

      The Early Decision deadline for Rice is November 1. The Regular Decision deadline is January 4.

      SAT and ACT Scores

      Standardized test scores are currently not required at Rice. However, it can be helpful to know how other students scored.

      Subject

      25th Percentile

      75th Percentile

      SAT Evidence-Based
      Reading/Writing

      720

      770

      SAT Math

      770

      800

      ACT Composite

      34

      35

      ACT English

      35

      36

      ACT Math

      32

      35

      Rice University Graduation Rate

      These are the graduation rates at Rice University:

      •  4 years: 87%

      •  6 years: 92%

      •  8 years: 93%

      Post-Graduation Median Earnings

      Graduates of Rice University earn, on average, $87,254, which is significantly higher than the average salary for recent graduates of $50,391.

      Bottom Line

      Rice University provides students with a quality education and a rich campus life. While Rice tuition is steep, it’s more affordable than many top-tier schools. And because Rice is a need-blind institution, your ability to pay for the Rice cost won’t be a factor when you apply. Rice is selective, however, so the tricky part may be getting in!

      SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualifying borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no origination fees.

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      Photo credit: iStock/Rebecca Todd

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