🦉Rice University

Houston, TX, US

QS World 2026 · #145

A small, elite private university in Houston with one of the US's most generous student-faculty ratios.

About Rice

Rice has one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios of any major US research university (around 6:1), and its residential college system (11 colleges) gives every undergraduate a close-knit community despite the university's strong research output. Its location in Houston gives direct access to NASA's Johnson Space Center and one of the world's largest medical complexes (Texas Medical Center).

Why students choose it

  • Around 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, among the lowest of major US research universities
  • Direct access to NASA's Johnson Space Center and Texas Medical Center
  • Residential college system across 11 colleges

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Typical entry grades

A*AA (A Level)  ·  IB 39

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

$60,000+/yr

premium tier for US — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Houston, TX

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Rice's financial aid office.

Scholarship access for international students is more limited than for US citizens — most need-based financial aid programmes are domestic-only, and only a small number of universities are 'need-blind' or meet full demonstrated need for international applicants. Merit scholarships (not tied to financial need) are more widely available and are the main route for most applicants.

  • University merit scholarships: Named awards like 'Presidential' or 'Dean's' scholarships at many universities — automatically considered from your application, based on academic record and sometimes essays/interviews.
  • Need-blind / full-need-met universities: A small group of highly selective universities (e.g. Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Amherst) admit international students without considering ability to pay and meet full demonstrated financial need — extremely competitive to gain admission in the first place.
  • Fulbright Program: US government-funded, but for postgraduate/research study and exchange, not linked to undergraduate admission.

Most US universities in this tool are private and do not offer significant need-based aid to international students — check each university's own international financial aid policy before assuming support is available.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

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Typical entry: Portfolio

Music

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Portfolio / audition

Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 4 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Durations are typical for US — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
September (Fall)
Typical deadline
Regular Decision around 1 January
Note
Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall

TOEFL: 80–100 iBT

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

See where Rice ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free US University Shortlist Builder to see whether Rice is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other US university that matches.

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More US universities

Rice FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Rice as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Rice?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Rice expects around A*AA at A Level or 39 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Rice's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Rice's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Rice cost for international students?

International tuition at Rice typically falls in the $60,000+/yr range (premium tier for US). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Rice's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Rice?

Rice follows US's typical intake calendar: September (Fall), with applications generally due regular decision around 1 january. Early Action / Early Decision rounds close around 1 November for students applying to one top-choice school early. Always verify the exact date on Rice's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Rice?

US universities, including Rice, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall. Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test. Many US universities also accept Duolingo English Test.

What is Rice known for?

A small, elite private university in Houston with one of the US's most generous student-faculty ratios. Rice has one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios of any major US research university (around 6:1), and its residential college system (11 colleges) gives every undergraduate a close-knit community despite the university's strong research output. Its location in Houston gives direct access to NASA's Johnson Space Center and one of the world's largest medical complexes (Texas Medical Center).

Can I apply to Rice with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Rice accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free US University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Rice and every other US university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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