At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Rice University is a highly selective private research university in Houston, Texas, known for its intimate residential college system and strong engineering and science programs. With an undergraduate enrollment of about 4,200, Rice offers the resources of a major research university in a close-knit, collaborative setting.
Mascot: Owl
Notable Alumni
Larry McMurtry (Pulitzer Prize-winning author)•Peggy Whitson (record-setting NASA astronaut)•Howard Hughes (aviator and film producer)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Safety
Rice's 300-acre campus is enclosed by an iconic hedge perimeter with gated vehicle entrances patrolled by RUPD officers 24/7. The enclosed design and small student body create an unusually secure environment for an urban university.
The Museum District and adjacent neighborhoods are among Houston's safest areas. Houston's overall crime rate is above average, but Rice's immediate surroundings have low violent crime.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Location
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