Rice is a leading research institution that fosters diversity and an intellectual environment that produces the next generation of leaders and advances tomorrow’s thinking.We believe knowledge is limitless. There is no "what if" that cannot become "what is," because research, creativity, innovation and scholarship are all a part of what makes Rice University so unique. We are a private, comprehensive research university, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across seven schools. Rice's robust curriculum provides a vast array of courses leading to a holistic undergraduate experience that equips our students with the knowledge, skills and values to make a distinctive impact in the world.
The residential college system is the heart of campus life. Its purpose is to foster democratic self-government, faculty-student interaction, and intellectual and cultural activity outside the classroom. These ideals are fundamental to the distinctiveness and success of the Rice undergraduate experience.
Every student, regardless of the choice to live on or off campus, is a member of one of our 11 residential colleges.The colleges are small communities where students live, dine and interact with peers, faculty, staff and alumni; develop strong relationships; and contribute to the betterment of each other's lives and intellectual achievement. Within our colleges, legacies are born, traditions are celebrated and student spirit thrives.
Prior to arriving on campus, students are randomly assigned to a residential college. Each college is a microcosm of the whole student body, which ensures that the colleges are enriched by the full range of our students' backgrounds and life experiences, academic interests and talents.
Dating back to the founding of Rice University, our first president, Edgar Odell Lovett, mandated that we aspire to be a world-class university of the highest standing. He envisioned students and faculty as a community of scholars, their minds exercised by spirited discourse. Therefore, an integral part of the university's mission, we seek a broadly diverse student body where educational diversity increases the intellectual vitality of education, scholarship, service and communal life at Rice. We seek students of keen intellect and diverse backgrounds who not only show potential for success at Rice, but who will also contribute to the educational environment of those around them.
We consider Houston an essential part of the education we offer to students as an urban university. As the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the busiest ports of trade, Houston offers one of the most diverse, culturally rich cities in America.
In addition to receiving a first-class education at Rice University, your college experience will be intellectually and socially enhanced by a multitude of social activities, volunteer opportunities and internships in the nation's fourth-largest city.Rice students enjoy a rich city life. They experience world-class theatrical and musical productions; cheer on major-league professional sports teams; sample global cuisine at more than 6,000 restaurants; and shop among trendy boutiques, bargain-filled outlets and the nation's fourth-largest mall.
Over the past century, Rice has been able to uphold its founding president’s vision of an institution “of the highest grade” while still providing a superior education to students at tuition levels much lower than comparable schools.This has been possible because of the university’s dedicated leadership throughout its history. It takes many people to successfully govern a nationally ranked research university, from the president and other officers to the Rice University Board of Trustees to each member of the university committees.
Thank you for your interest in graduate study at Rice University. With a graduate population of approximately 1500, Rice's graduate programs are large enough to offer research topics in several important areas of study, but small enough to offer close personal contact between faculty and students. Our graduate students come to Rice from a wide variety of academic disciplines, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and from 50 states and more than 82 countries.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded for original studies in anthropology, applied physics, Art History, biochemistry and cell biology, bioengineering, chemistry, computational and applied mathematics, computational science and engineering, computer science, earth science, ecology and evolutionary biology, economics, electrical and computer engineering, engineering (chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical), English, environmental science and engineering, geology and geophysics, history, linguistics, materials science and engineering, mathematics, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, religious studies, space physics and astronomy, and statistics.
The Master of Science degree may be obtained in many engineering fields, computer science, materials science, earth science, and physics and astronomy.The School of Architecture offers the degrees of Master of Architecture and Master of Arts in Architecture. Completion of a MArch degree requires five to seven academic semesters and completion of a MA in Architecture requires three academic semesters. The Shepherd School of Music offers the Master of Music (M.M.) and the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degrees. The minimum hourly requirements for the M.Mus. degree vary from 43 to 57 according to major area.
The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business provides programs leading to the degrees of Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). Completion of the M.B.A. degree requires a minimum of two academic years in residence at Rice and 60 credit hours. The Jones School also offers a one-year Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree, and doctoral degrees in marketing and finance, strategic management and accounting.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a professional degree program for students wishing to qualify for secondary-school teaching following a liberal undergraduate education. The program normally requires the completion of 11 advanced courses.
The Rice University Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) degree program is a part-time, interdisciplinary liberal arts program. The total course of study is 33 credit hours which includes three core courses, 7 electives, and a final CAPSTONE course.
The Rice University Master of Global Affairs (MGA) is a two-year Master of Arts degree. MGA students complete rigorous course work that compels high standards of scholarship and offers practical training for careers in government, the private sector and international organization.
The Master of Energy Economics (MEECON) offers graduate level education in a 12-month program that emphasizes applying economic principles to analyze and understand commercial and other influences on energy markets and enables graduates to communicate valuable insights arising from that approach. The program offers practical training for energy markets analysts working in government, the private sector, and international organizations.
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Campus is gorgeous and beautiful for photographs. It's also so close to great eating places, grocery shopping, and entertainment. They have a lovely art gallery with great installments and Studu Concert Hall, which I like to attend concerts at.
By Kimberly (Feb, 2013) |
As a Rice grad student, there is absolutely nothing bad I can say about the school. Great campus, beautiful architecture and lots of trees, not too crowded but busy enough to have a sense of community. What really amazes me is that it's both a small university in terms of overall student body, and a big university in terms of research and publications. Normally, a small university suffers from the problem of not having as much research going on as a larger university, but Rice has the best of both worlds.
Check out my Rice photos on flickr: http://tinyurl.com/37xc7o
By Jackson M. (Aug, 2012) |
I graduated from Rice in 1976. Rice made a positive difference in my life. The diploma open doors that would not have been open other wise. The constant refrain being; ?you went to Rice you must be smart?. It made me laugh but the truth is in business this perception matters. The campus is beautiful, the professors are top notch and the education is, or was, worth the price.
By Naomi F. (Feb, 2011) |
I have just been at Rice for a little more than a month, and people couldn't be more friendly and welcoming. Everyone wants to meet you. So, you immediately have a group of friends. The result is that when you walk around campus, you always here a hello or see a wave from someone. We also don't compete with each other for grades. Rather, we help each other out. The college system is amazing because you get to know more people this way including upper classmen. You are not overwhelmed at meal times by the number of people. You all have something in common: a love for your college. Academics are strong here. I've never left a class feeling that I hadn't learned something. The teachers are great and willing to talk to you after class. Rice is overall just amazing! I can't believe my good fortune to come to this school!
By Jeremiah A. (Oct, 2007) |
I'm glad I came to Rice. On all counts, Rice is nothing short of excellent. It's way more prestigious than people give it credit for. Yes, it may be underrated - but that's quickly changing.Houston's bad rap may be somewhat deserved, but the Rice campus and surrounding areas are simply stunning. Actually, Houston really isn't that bad - it's a diverse city and it has great restaurants for sure.
By Andrew Meyers (May, 2007) |
Rice is great in that no matter who you are, you can find people who have common interests. Hardcore nerd, hardcore partier, work-hard-play-hard, musicians, athletes, different religions - they're all at Rice, so you can find your "niche" with people who are like you, or you could branch out and befriend diverse groups of people. Most students are pretty friendly, and the campus is small enough that you can bump into people you know just about anywhere. The library has been renovated and is an awesome place to study. The gym isn't so great (as of 2006) but is getting renovated soon. There are tons of opportunities for intramural sports, theater, research - and almost every meeting or event comes with FREE FOOD and is open to everyone.
By Carla M. (May, 2006) |
I firmly believe that Rice gives the best undergraduate experience alongside the highest caliber education, and that it truly distilled my personality. It made me into the person I wanted to be, and at the same time, it gave me the highest quality education I could have ever asked for. I cherished my time at Rice and think of its beautiful campus and inviting atmosphere with a great deal of fondness.
By Averyll C. (Apr, 2006) |
Rice University is an exceptional school drawing the brightest minds in America. It is an exceptional value relative to other private top tier schools, and delivers far more than US News can give it credit for. My only regret is that people beyond the hedges (the world outside of rice) seem painfully dim witted after my many years within Rice's walls.
By Edwin B. (Nov, 2005) |
I thought Rice was wonderful. The small campus size fostered wonderful relationships between professors and students. The major research emphasis and Division 1 status of our university made it feel as if we had the world at our feet. I had fantastic professors and amazing fellow students. I loved it!
By Arlene C. (Aug, 2005) |
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The education at this University in Texas is nothing short of remarkable; the dedicated staff foster incredible growth and confidence in every student.
By M.P. (Aug, 2024) |