Rice University

What is the cost of studying for a year at Rice University?

Rice charges the same published undergraduate tuition regardless of whether a student lives in Texas. In 2024-25 reporting, full-time undergraduate tuition was $60,314, with $933 in required fees. Typical annual room and board charges totaled $19,550, and reported books and supplies added $1,490. Together, those listed items come to $82,287 before transportation and personal expenses; the sum is an illustration using figures from the same reporting year, not every student's full bill.

Published cost and net price are different. Net price reflects costs after grant and scholarship aid, and an individual award depends on eligibility and the aid application. In 2024-25 reporting, the average net price was $563 for students from families with income of $48,000 or less, compared with $48,466 for those from families above $110,000. Income alone does not determine an offer, and these group averages should not be used as a personal quote.

Rice's need-based aid includes the Rice Investment, which sets assistance levels for qualifying domestic undergraduates by family financial circumstances. Students may also be considered for other institutional, federal or applicable state aid; federal loans remain an option for eligible borrowers. Applicants should follow Rice's current financial-aid instructions for required forms and deadlines, which may differ from the admission deadline. Reported aid figures show that 64% of students received financial aid and 6% had student loans, but those percentages do not describe any one applicant's likely package.

Rice publishes a new cost-of-attendance budget for each academic year. Before comparing offers, students should use the budget for their actual entry year and check whether housing, meals, books, travel and personal expenses are included in each estimate.

What are the work-study opportunities at Rice University?

Eligible Rice students may find paid campus jobs, including positions funded through Federal Work-Study. Work-Study is a need-based federal aid program: an award permits a student to earn wages through an eligible job, but it does not automatically place the student in a position or reduce a tuition bill upfront. Other campus jobs may be available without a Work-Study award.

Students should check their aid offer for Work-Study eligibility and use Rice's student employment resources to find openings and application instructions. Hours, pay and the suitability of a job alongside coursework vary by position. Research assistantships and internships can provide relevant experience, but they have their own selection and compensation rules and should not be assumed to be Work-Study jobs.

For career planning, Rice's Center for Career Development offers practical support that includes résumé and interview preparation, job-search resources, employer connections and alumni networking. Such services can help students explore and apply for opportunities; they are not verified employment outcomes or a promise of a job offer.