Rice University Student Population: How Many Are There?

Rice University, officially William Marsh Rice University, is a private research university in Houston, Texas. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,574 as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 50.9% male students and 49.1% female students. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #18.

Rice University's undergraduate and graduate enrollment

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas, US. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,574 students as of Fall 2023, with a gender distribution of 50.9% male and 49.1% female students. The university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #18. The undergraduate enrollment at Rice University is highly residential, with roughly three-quarters of the undergraduate population living on campus. The university has an urban setting and a semester-based academic calendar.

The university's first president, Edgar Odell Lovett, intended for the campus to have a uniform architectural style to improve its aesthetic appeal. The residential college system at Rice University, inspired by existing systems in England and at other US universities, supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures, series, courses, and student government. There are 11 residential colleges, and students are randomly sorted into one of them, where they stay throughout their time at Rice. The diversity of the student body creates a rich tapestry of traditions, culture, and community.

Rice University offers more than 50 majors across seven schools of study, including the School of Humanities, School of Social Sciences, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, George R. Brown School of Engineering, Wiess School of Natural Sciences, Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, Rice School of Architecture, and Shepherd School of Music. The university has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and students have the freedom to choose their major and path. From their first semester, students have the opportunity to conduct research alongside experts, gain valuable professional experience, and interact with industry leaders while addressing real-world issues.

As of Fall 2022, Rice University had 4,480 degree-seeking undergraduate students and 4,085 degree-seeking graduate students, with a total enrollment of 8,556 students. The university's enrollment has been increasing, and it has kept pace with its burgeoning infrastructure and programming. The university's endowment has grown significantly, from $10 million in 1913 to $7.8 billion as of July 1, 2022.

Rice University's student demographics

Rice University is a diverse and inclusive community with a student body representing a wide range of backgrounds and identities. Here is an overview of the university's student demographics:

Gender Distribution

Rice University has a relatively balanced gender distribution, with a slight majority of male students. In the fall of 2023, the total undergraduate enrollment was 4,574 students, comprising 50.9% male and 49.1% female students. This ratio is maintained across degree-seeking students, with 51% men and 49% women.

Housing

Rice University offers a variety of housing options for its students. In the fall of 2023, 62% of students lived in college-owned, operated, or affiliated housing, while 38% chose to live off-campus. The university prioritises creating a strong sense of community and offers a residential college system where students are randomly sorted and remain throughout their undergraduate years.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity

Rice University embraces racial and ethnic diversity within its student body. In the fall of 2022, Asian Americans comprised 29% of the incoming Class of 2026, while students identifying as Hispanic or Latino represented 17% of the class, and Black students made up 8%. Additionally, a significant portion of the student population, around 27.2%, comes from outside the United States, adding to the rich cultural diversity on campus.

Geographic Distribution

Rice University attracts students from across the United States and the world. In the fall of 2022, 36.9% of degree-seeking students were from out-of-state, while 35.9% were from Texas, reflecting a balance between students seeking a local education and those exploring opportunities further from home.

Academic Excellence

Rice University maintains high academic standards and seeks students who demonstrate exceptional academic prowess and leadership potential. The university's selective admission process ensures that only the most qualified students are accepted, with an acceptance rate of around 8% for the Class of 2024. The university also offers generous financial aid and scholarship programs to support talented students from various socioeconomic backgrounds.

Rice University's student housing

Rice University in Houston, Texas, offers a range of housing options for its students. The university is committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for its students, enhancing their college experience by providing comfortable and enriching living environments.

On-Campus Housing

Rice University offers on-campus housing for its students, with 62% of students living in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing. The university has a residential college system, where every Rice student is a member of one of the 11 residential colleges throughout their undergraduate years. These colleges provide a sense of community and support for students, offering social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government.

The residential colleges allow students to live, dine, and interact with peers, faculty, staff, and alumni, fostering strong relationships and contributing to each other's intellectual achievement and personal growth. Rice University also provides special housing accommodations for students with disabilities.

Off-Campus Housing

For students who prefer to live off-campus, Rice University offers resources to help find suitable accommodations. Houston's cost of living is approximately 20% below other major U.S. cities, and housing costs are about 25% below the average for other major urban areas. Students can find a variety of off-campus housing options within walking, biking, or a short commute distance from the campus.

Graduate Student Housing

Rice University provides a choice of three university-owned apartment complexes for full-time graduate students on a space-available basis. These include the Rice Village Apartments, Rice Graduate Apartments, and Morningside Square Apartments, each offering various amenities and located near the campus.

The Rice Graduate Apartments, for example, feature a garden-style complex with fully equipped kitchens, cable TV connections, and network drops for personal computers. It offers one-, two-, and four-bedroom floor plans, as well as efficiency apartments, with a central space for social activities, a study room, and enclosed areas for bike racks.

Rice University's housing options aim to provide a comfortable, convenient, and engaging living experience for its diverse student population, contributing to their overall college life and intellectual pursuits.

Rice University's history

Rice University, officially William Marsh Rice University, is a private research university in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1912 as the Rice Institute, following the murder of its namesake, Massachusetts businessman William Marsh Rice.

Rice made his fortune in real estate, railroad development, and cotton trading in Texas. In 1891, he decided to charter a free-tuition educational institute in Houston, bearing his name, to be created upon his death, earmarking most of his estate towards funding the project. The institute was to be a "competitive institution of the highest grade" and only open to white students. However, Rice was murdered by his butler and lawyer in 1900 in an attempt to steal his fortune. After a lengthy legal battle, Rice's bequest was used for its intended purpose in 1904.

In 1907, the Board of Trustees selected Edgar Odell Lovett, head of the Department of Mathematics and Astronomy at Princeton University, to lead the institute. Lovett accepted the position and was formally inaugurated as the institute's first president on October 12, 1912. Lovett undertook extensive research before formalizing plans for the new institute, visiting institutions of higher learning worldwide. He called for the establishment of a university "of the highest grade" and "an institution of liberal and technical learning" devoted "quite as much to investigation as to instruction."

The Rice Institute opened on September 23, 1912, the 12th anniversary of William Marsh Rice's murder, with 59 enrolled students, known as the "59 immortals," and about a dozen faculty members. The institute quickly grew in size and importance, and by the time Lovett stepped down as president in 1946, it had become a key part of the booming city of Houston.

From its beginning, the Rice Institute included graduate programs, with the first doctorate degree awarded in 1918. The institute expanded its offerings in the sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences over the years. In 1957, the residential college system was adopted, and in 1960, the institute was formally renamed William Marsh Rice University.

Rice University has a rich history and has continued to grow and evolve over the years. It is now ranked among the nation's top 20 universities and offers a wide range of academic programs to its students.

Rice University's notable alumni

Rice University in Houston, Texas, has a strong reputation for its excellent academic programs and vibrant campus life. The university is recognised for its focus on research and innovation, and its alumni have made important contributions in various fields. Here is a list of some of the notable alumni of Rice University:

Howard Robard Hughes Jr.

Hughes was an American aerospace engineer, business magnate, film producer, investor, philanthropist, and pilot. He attended Rice University in 1924 but dropped out shortly after his father's death. He set multiple aviation records and produced iconic films like *Hell's Angels* and *Scarface*. He also founded the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Joyce Carol Oates

Oates is an American writer who has published numerous novels, plays, novellas, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction. Her work has been recognised with several awards, including the National Book Award, two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize (2019). Oates completed her Master of Arts from Rice University.

Frank Beall Ryan

Ryan was an American professional football player and mathematician. He played college football for the Rice Owls and graduated from Rice University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. He led the Cleveland Browns to their most recent NFL title in 1964.

Linda Coffee

Coffee is a lawyer who played a significant role in the landmark case *Roe v. Wade*, which established a woman's right to choose abortion in the United States. Coffee graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. She argued the case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1970 and worked as a clerk for Judge Sarah T. Hughes, the first female federal judge in Texas.

Gong Byeong-ho

Byeong-ho is a South Korean economist and author who earned his Ph.D. in Economics from Rice University in 1987. He has authored over 100 books on various topics, including economics and philosophy, and established the Gong Institute for research and education.

Jeffrey Alan Hoffman

Hoffman is an American former NASA astronaut and professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. He completed his Master's degree in materials science from Rice University. Hoffman has received several awards for his contributions, including the NASA Space Flight Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

R. Bowen Loftin

Loftin is an American physicist and academic. He earned his Master's and Ph.D. in physics from Rice University in 1973 and 1975, respectively. Loftin served as the president of Texas A&M University and later became the chancellor of the University of Missouri. He is recognised for his contributions to education and research.

He Jiankui

Jiankui is a Chinese biophysicist known for his controversial work in gene editing. He received his Ph.D. in biophysics from Rice University in 2010. Jiankui gained international attention in 2018 when he announced the birth of genetically edited babies, sparking a global ethical debate. He served a three-year prison sentence for unethical research practices.

John Doerr

Doerr is a prominent venture capitalist and a key figure in Silicon Valley. He graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Engineering. Doerr has invested in numerous successful tech companies, including Google and Amazon, and is known for his advocacy of the OKR management framework.

Annise Parker

Parker served as the 61st Mayor of Houston, Texas, from 2010 to 2016. She graduated from Rice University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Parker was the first openly lesbian mayor of a major U.S. city and has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and urban development.

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