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Rice University
Academics

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How strong are the academics at Rice University?

Let's cover class sizes, graduation rates, and outcomes.

6:1
Student to faculty ratio
23
Average class size
89%
4-year grad rate

Class Sizes

Class sizes likely stayed the same for you through high school. You'll find that college is much different. Some of the largest universities have classes that can seat hundreds of students in giant lecture halls. Conversely, as they progress and their focus narrows, higher-level courses can sometimes have just a handful of students.

Rice has an average student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1. The typical school is 14:1. While this ratio is important, what’s more important is how big a typical class is.

Class Sizes
2-9
280
10-19
429
20-29
134
30-39
66
40-49
57
50-99
91
100+
23

Honors Programs

Rice University has an honors program and/or honors college. Specifics of these programs vary, but benefits of being in an Honors Program might include priority registration, being part of a tight-knit community, and accessing unique learning opportunities.

Learn more about honors options on Rice's website.

Outcomes

It’s critical to understand a school’s outcomes to understand if your four (or more) years at the school will be worth it. Here are some key statistics about the outcomes of students who enroll at Rice University:

98%
First-year retention rate
89%
4-year grad rate
96%
6-year grad rate

Majors

Many students choose a school largely based on the what they want to study. The are Rice University's most popular majors, ranked by how many people graduated with the concentration in the most recent year:

Computer and Information Sciences, General
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
Mechanical Engineering
Economics, General
Psychology, General
30.8
56.24
81.68
107.12
132.56
158

The Full List

Major Graduates
Architecture And Related Services
  • Architecture 18
  • Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology 17
  • Architectural Studies 0
Area
  • Women's Studies 1
  • Latin American Studies 1
  • Asian Studies/Civilization 1
  • European Studies/Civilization 0
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General 70
  • Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 52
  • Neuroscience 42
  • Biochemistry 17
  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2
Business
  • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other 1
  • Business Administration and Management, General 0
Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
  • Computer and Information Sciences, General 158
Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering 65
  • Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering 29
  • Chemical Engineering 29
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering 22
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering 15
  • Civil Engineering, General 15
  • Operations Research 2
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
  • Nanotechnology 3
English Language And Literature/Letters
  • English Language and Literature, General 19
Foreign Languages
  • Linguistics 9
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General 5
  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 5
  • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other 4
  • French Language and Literature 0
  • German Language and Literature 0
Health Professions And Related Programs
  • Health and Wellness, General 17
History
  • History, General 9
Mathematics And Statistics
  • Statistics, General 40
  • Mathematics, General 31
  • Computational and Applied Mathematics 9
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Cognitive Science, General 35
  • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 2
  • Medieval and Renaissance Studies 1
  • Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology 0
  • Data Analytics, Other 0
Natural Resources And Conservation
  • Environmental Science 7
Parks
  • Sport and Fitness Administration/Management 47
  • Exercise Science and Kinesiology 2
Philosophy And Religious Studies
  • Philosophy 6
  • Religion/Religious Studies 2
Physical Sciences
  • Chemistry, General 16
  • Physics, General 10
  • Geology/Earth Science, General 6
  • Chemical Physics 2
  • Astronomy 2
  • Astrophysics 1
Psychology
  • Psychology, General 52
Public Administration And Social Service Professions
  • Public Policy Analysis, General 16
Social Sciences
  • Economics, General 59
  • Political Science and Government, General 22
  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 17
  • Sociology, General 8
  • Anthropology, General 4
  • Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods 0
Visual And Performing Arts
  • Visual and Performing Arts, General 9
  • Stringed Instruments 5
  • Keyboard Instruments 5
  • Brass Instruments 3
  • Music, General 3
  • Voice and Opera 2
  • Music Theory and Composition 2
  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation 2
  • Percussion Instruments 1
  • Woodwind Instruments 0
  • Music History, Literature, and Theory 0

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