William Marsh Rice University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Rice was $57,210 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 5.75%–from $54,100 the prior year. Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition doesn't always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students find the actual cost of college is much less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until after graduation.

Rice University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend Rice University full-time are awarded $59,724.13 a year in financial aid, on average.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $19,623.24 in student loans per borrower.

Does Rice University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Rice University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Texas as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for those who qualify as Texas residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to confirm your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other Texas colleges

Rice University International Student Tuition

Tuition at Rice University is the same for all students.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Rice University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Rice University:

•Rice University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Rice University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Rice University.

House and Food Costs at Rice University

Housing and campus dining at Rice University costs $15,000 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the Rice University's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $10,200.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Rice University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have resources for students with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Rice University

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Rice University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area could be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains and affordable flights to actually get to school. Rice Universityis in a city in Texas, not far from Houston.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, be sure to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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The Full Cost of Attending Rice University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Rice University.

How Much Does Rice University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Rice University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$57,210
Room and Board	$15,000
Board Only	$4,800
Other expenses	$2,850

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$77,328
Off-Campus	$67,078

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Rice University

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In 2023, 2,076 of the 4,510 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Rice University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $59,724.13 a year. Around 18% of Rice University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Rice University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $19,623.24 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$11,660.25
State Loans	$29,495.75
Private Loans	$49,030.3

Most Common Loans for Rice University Students
Federal Loans	17%
State loans	1%
Private loans	3%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Rice University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Rice University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Rice University awarded 2,056 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $117.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $9.36 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Rice University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Rice University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Rice University was $59,724.13 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Rice University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$17,603.87
Off-Campus	$7,353.87

What will attending Rice University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Rice University's net cost calculator on their website.

Rice University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Rice University does not have guaranteed tuition.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Does Rice University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Rice University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of Rice University's endowment was $7.8 billion. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $45,588 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Rice University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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