Rice University: Student Housing Options

where do most students live in rice university

Rice University is a research university located in Houston, Texas, that offers over 50 majors across seven schools of study. The university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,574 students, of which 62% live in college-affiliated housing. The remaining 38% of students live off-campus. Rice University has 11 residential colleges, named after historical figures and benefactors, which form the hub of student life at the university. Each college has its own dining hall, public rooms, dorms, and unique personality. Students are randomly assigned to one of these colleges when they are admitted and remain members throughout their undergraduate years.

Characteristics Values
Location Rice University is located in the heart of Houston, Texas, next to the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Museum District.
Campus Size The university sits on a 300-acre, tree-lined campus.
Housing Approximately 62% of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing, with the remaining 38% living off campus.
Residential Colleges Rice University has 11 residential colleges, named for university historical figures and benefactors. These colleges are the hub of life at Rice, fostering community and diversity.
Dining Each residential college has its own dining hall, and each chef sets the menu for their servery, offering multiple dietary options.
Student Population As of Fall 2023, Rice University had a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,574 students, with a gender distribution of 50.9% male and 49.1% female.
Student Diversity Students identifying as Hispanic or Latino made up 17% of the undergraduate population, while Black students constituted 8%. Additionally, a growing segment of undergraduate and graduate students hail from over 60 countries worldwide.

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Rice University's 11 residential colleges

Rice University is located on a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas. The university has 11 residential colleges, which function as the primary housing, dining, and social organisations for undergraduate students. Each student is randomly assigned to a residential college upon joining and remains a member of that college throughout their time at Rice. The colleges are named for university historical figures and benefactors.

The 11 colleges are: Baker, Will Rice, Hanszen, Wiess, Jones, Brown, Lovett, Sid Richardson, Martel, McMurtry, and Duncan. Baker, Will Rice, and Lovett are the oldest colleges, while Duncan and McMurtry are the newest, opening for the 2009-10 school year. Will Rice is known for its competitiveness, holding the longest winning streak in the university's annual Beer Bike competition. It also has a new residential building, which opened in 2009. Hanszen is known as the "Family College", reflecting the close and caring relationships among its members. Jones College was originally an all-women's dormitory but became co-ed in 1980. Wiess is one of the original four colleges and has a number of well-established traditions, including Pumpkin Caroling at Halloween and Tabletop Theatre.

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62% of students live in college-affiliated housing

Rice University in Houston, Texas, offers on-campus housing to its students, with 62% of students choosing to live in college-affiliated housing. The university has 11 residential colleges, each with its own dining hall, public rooms, dorms, and unique personality. These colleges are named after historical figures and benefactors of the university. Five colleges—McMurtry, Duncan, Martel, Jones, and Brown—are located on the north side of the campus, while the "South Colleges" (Baker, Will Rice, Lovett, Hanszen, Sid Richardson, and Wiess) are situated on the other side of the Academic Quadrangle.

The residential college system at Rice University fosters a sense of community and diversity, allowing students to live, dine, and interact with peers, faculty, staff, and alumni. Each college has a faculty magister who lives in a house adjacent to the college and supports students in their academic and social pursuits. The residential colleges also provide opportunities for intramural sports and social events, enhancing the overall student experience.

Rice University's on-campus housing options are an integral part of the university's commitment to creating a vibrant and caring student life. The university believes in providing a well-rounded experience that goes beyond academics, encouraging students to explore extracurricular activities and build strong relationships within their residential communities.

The 300-acre tree-lined campus offers a beautiful and intimate learning environment, with various facilities for extracurricular pursuits. Students can take advantage of the university's location in the heart of Houston, close to the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Museum District, to explore the city's diverse opportunities while enjoying the convenience of on-campus living.

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The colleges are named after historical figures

Rice University in Houston, Texas, is a private, coeducational research institution. It was founded in 1891 and endowed by Houston businessman William Marsh Rice, who made his fortune in real estate, railroad development, and cotton trading in Texas. The university is named after its founder, who was murdered.

Rice University consists of eight to eleven residential colleges, each functioning as a separate scholarly community. The colleges are named after historical figures and benefactors. Five colleges—McMurtry, Duncan, Martel, Jones, and Brown—are located on the north side of the campus, across from the six "South Colleges"—Baker, Will Rice, Lovett, Hanszen, Sid Richardson, and Wiess—on the other side of the Academic Quadrangle.

  • Hanszen College — Harry Clay Hanszen, benefactor to the university and chairman of the Rice Board of Governors from 1946 to 1950.
  • Wiess College — Harry Carothers Wiess (1887–1948), one of the founders and a former president of Humble Oil, now ExxonMobil.
  • Jones College — Mary Gibbs Jones, wife of prominent Houston philanthropist Jesse Holman Jones.
  • Brown College — Margarett Root Brown, named by her in-laws, George R. Brown.
  • Lovett College — Edgar Odell Lovett, the university's first president.
  • Sid Richardson College — The Sid Richardson Foundation, established by Texas oilman, cattleman, and philanthropist Sid W. Richardson.
  • Martel College — Marian and Speros P. Martel.
  • McMurtry College — Rice alumni Burt and Deedee McMurtry, Silicon Valley venture capitalists.

Rice University's residential colleges are the hub of student life, offering dining halls, public rooms, dorms, and a unique personality. The colleges are randomly assigned, and students stay in the same one throughout their time at Rice.

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Students are randomly assigned to colleges

Rice University is a comprehensive research university located on a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas. The university offers over 50 majors across seven schools of study, and students have the freedom to choose their own educational and professional paths.

Rice University has 11 residential colleges, and roughly three-quarters of its undergraduate population lives on campus. Housing is divided among these 11 colleges, which are named for historical university figures and benefactors. Five colleges—McMurtry, Duncan, Martel, Jones, and Brown—are located on the north side of the campus, while the "South Colleges"—Baker, Will Rice, Lovett, Hanszen, Sid Richardson, and Wiess—are located on the other side of the Academic Quadrangle. Each college has its own dining hall, public rooms, dorms, and unique personality, and they are the hub of life at Rice.

Students are randomly assigned to one of the 11 residential colleges, where they will remain throughout their undergraduate years. This random sorting helps to foster diversity and build community within each college, allowing for a rich tapestry of traditions and cultures to emerge. Each college has a faculty magister who lives in a house adjacent to the college and helps students manage an effective system of self-government, as well as cultivating a variety of cultural and intellectual interests. The unique residential college experience enhances academic life at Rice, allowing students to combine their studies with social events, intramural sports, and other activities.

A Diverse Student Body at IE University

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The colleges are located on a 300-acre campus in Houston, Texas

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. The colleges are located on a 300-acre campus in the heart of Houston, next to the Texas Medical Centre and the Houston Museum District. The campus is surrounded by greenery and is adjacent to Hermann Park, Rice Village, and the Medical Centre. The campus is defined by five streets: Greenbriar Street, Rice Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Main Street, and University Boulevard.

The university was established in 1912 and spans 300 acres, with a heavily wooded 290-acre plot of land on South Main Street in the Museum District of Houston. The campus has a uniform Mediterranean Revival style, with light brick facades, quadrangles, archways, and decorative columns. There are also examples of brutalist and modern architecture.

Rice University offers its students a unique experience, combining academic excellence with a vibrant and caring student life. The university is committed to providing access to top-tier research opportunities and affordability. Students have the freedom to choose their own path from over 50 majors across seven schools of study. From their first semester, students can conduct research alongside experts, apply their skills, gain valuable professional experience, and interact with industry leaders.

Rice's campus includes eleven residential colleges, with approximately three-quarters of the undergraduate population living on campus. The colleges are named after historical figures and benefactors. Five colleges—McMurtry, Duncan, Martel, Jones, and Brown—are located on the north side of the campus, while the "South Colleges" (Baker, Will Rice, Lovett, Hanszen, Sid Richardson, and Wiess) are on the other side of the Academic Quadrangle. Each college has its own dining hall, public rooms, and dorms, and unique personality.

Rice University provides a beautiful and intimate learning environment, with small class sizes and a diverse student body. Students can also take advantage of the nearby city's many offerings, including its theatre and nightlife district, accessible via the Houston METRORail system.

Frequently asked questions

Most students at Rice University live on campus. Housing is divided among 11 residential colleges, with roughly three-quarters of the undergraduate population living on campus.

Each college has its own dining hall, public rooms, dorms, and unique personality. The colleges are named for university historical figures and benefactors.

The campus spans 300 acres and is located in Houston, Texas, next to the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Museum District. The campus is tree-lined and has been described as beautiful, with plenty of shade, seclusion, and cozy study corners.

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