CAMPUS · HOUSTON, TX · PRIVATE

Rice University

7.9%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Rice enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$15,900
Total Cost of Attendance	$79,788

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$5,827	$23,308
$30-48k	$563	$2,252
$48-75k	$3,217	$12,868
$75-110k	$17,755	$71,020
$110k+	$48,466	$193,864

Financial Aid & Student Debt at Rice University

16.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

$11,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Is Rice University Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$89,718

Median Earnings (10yr)

$11,000

Median Debt

8.2x

Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. Rice University — 8.2x ratio is excellent — graduates earn well relative to their debt burden.

Rice University True Cost by Family Income

16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Rice enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$5,827	$23,308
$30-48k	$563	$2,252
$48-75k	$3,217	$12,868
$75-110k	$17,755	$71,020
$110k+	$48,466	$193,864

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$15,900
Total Cost of Attendance	$79,788

Financial Aid & Student Debt

16.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$11,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$79,751

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Rice University Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does Rice University actually cost per year?

Rice University's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $79,788/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $15,166/yr, a 81% discount off sticker price.

Does Rice University offer good financial aid?

16% of Rice University students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including Rice University also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if Rice University requires it.

What income bracket pays the least at Rice University?

Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $5,827/yr at Rice University after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $48,466/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.

Is Rice University worth the cost?

Rice University graduates earn a median of $89,718 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $319,152 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.