Rice University

Rice University earns its reputation as a "Southern Ivy." Located in Houston, Texas, the university boasts a multi-billion-dollar endowment, a 5 to 1 ratio of undergraduates to faculty members, a median class size of 15, and a residential college system modeled after Oxford. Admissions are highly competitive, with roughly 75% of students coming from the top 5% of their class. Rice has won high marks for its diversity and value. In athletics, the Rice Owls compete in the NCAA Division I Conference USA (C-USA). Rice has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, and it is a member of the Association of American Universities.

Admissions Data (2010):

• Percent of Applicants Admitted: 21%
• What Are Your Chances? (from Cappex.com)
• Rice GPA, SAT Score and ACT Score Graph
• Test Scores -- 25th / 75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 650 / 750
  • SAT Math: 690 / 790
  • SAT Writing: 660 / 760
    • What these SAT numbers mean
    • Top Texas colleges SAT comparison
    • C-USA SAT comparison chart
    • Top university SAT score comparison
  • ACT Composite: 30 / 34
  • ACT English: - / -
  • ACT Math: - / -
    • What these ACT numbers mean
    • Top Texas colleges ACT comparison
    • C-USA ACT comparison chart
    • Top university ACT score comparison

Enrollment (2010):

• Total Enrollment: 5,879 (3,529 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 52% Male / 48% Female
• 98% Full-time

Costs (2010 - 11):

• Tuition and Fees: $33,771
• Books: $800 (why so much?)
• Room and Board: $11,750
• Other Expenses: $1,550
• Total Cost: $47,871

Rice University Financial Aid (2009 - 10):

• Percentage of Students Receiving Aid: 76%
• Rice University Scholarships (Cappex.com)
• Percentage of Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 64%
  • Loans: 24%
• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $27,814
  • Loans: $7,691

Most Popular Majors:

Architecture, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, English, History, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Mechanical Engineering, Political Science, Psychology

Retention and Graduation Rates:

• First Year Student Retention (full-time students): 95%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 79%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 92%

Data Source:

National Center for Educational Statistics

Rice and the Common Application

Rice University uses the Common Application. These articles can help guide you:

• Common Application essay tips and samples
• Short answer tips and samples
• Supplemental essay tips and samples

Rice University Mission Statement:

mission statement from http://professor.rice.edu/professor/Mission2.asp "As a leading research university with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate education, Rice University aspires to pathbreaking research, unsurpassed teaching and contributions to the betterment of our world. It seeks to fulfill this mission by cultivating a diverse community of learning and discovery that produces leaders across the spectrum of human endeavor."

The SAT