Rice University

Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is a private research university with a focus on undergraduate education

Overview

Summary

Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is a private research university with a focus on undergraduate education. It was opened in 1912 after the murder of its namesake, William Marsh Rice. Rice University is highly active in research, with a particular emphasis on applied science programs such as artificial heart research, space science, and nanotechnology. It has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1, and its undergraduate program offers over fifty majors and two dozen minors. The university is organized into eleven residential colleges and eight schools of academic study. Rice students are bound by an Honor Code that is enforced by a student-run Honor Council. Rice University has produced 26 Marshall Scholars, 12 Rhodes Scholars, and two Nobel laureates, and is closely linked to NASA, having produced a significant number of astronauts and space scientists.

History

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1912 by the Rice Institute, established by the will of businessman and philanthropist William Marsh Rice. The university was named after Rice, who was killed in 1900 by his butler and lawyer in an effort to take control of his fortune.

Rice Institute was designed to be a world-class educational institution with a strong focus on undergraduate education. The first classes were held in 1912 with 77 students and 10 faculty members. In its early years, the university was renowned for its research in chemistry, physics, and astronomy, and for its applied science programs in fields such as oil and gas exploration, medicine, and space science.

During World War II, Rice became an important center for military research, including work on radar systems and atomic weapons. After the war, Rice continued to expand its research programs and became a leader in fields such as nanotechnology, materials science, and biomedical engineering.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Rice University played an important role in the civil rights movement. In 1960, Rice students staged a sit-in at a Houston lunch counter to protest segregation, and the university became one of the first in the South to integrate its undergraduate student body.

Today, Rice is a highly respected research university with a strong emphasis on undergraduate education. The university has more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offers over 50 undergraduate majors and two dozen minors. Rice is a member of the Association of American Universities, and is classified as a "Doctoral University - Very High Research Activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Courses

Rice University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across eight schools of academic study. The undergraduate program offers more than 50 majors and two dozen minors, covering fields such as engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, architecture, and music. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors at Rice include computer science, bioengineering, economics, psychology, mechanical engineering, and political science.

Rice also offers a variety of graduate programs, including those offered by the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. The Jones Graduate School of Business offers MBA programs, executive education programs, and doctoral programs in business. The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies offers non-credit courses, certificates, and degree programs for adult learners.

Additionally, Rice has a unique approach to education known as the "Distribution System," which requires students to take courses across multiple disciplines, rather than specializing in a single field. This approach is designed to promote interdisciplinary learning and help students develop a well-rounded education.

Overall, Rice University offers a diverse array of academic programs and opportunities for students to explore their interests and passions.

Global MBA rankings

Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business offers several MBA programs, including Full-Time MBA, Professional MBA, Executive MBA, and Online MBA. The Full-Time MBA program is highly ranked by several major publications. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Business Schools rankings, Rice's Full-Time MBA program was ranked #26 nationally, while in the Financial Times 2021 Global MBA Rankings, it was ranked #37 worldwide. The Economist also ranked Rice's Full-Time MBA program #29 globally in its 2021 rankings.

In addition to the Full-Time MBA program, Rice's Professional MBA program was ranked #20 in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Part-Time MBA Programs rankings, while the Executive MBA program was ranked #7 in the 2021 Financial Times Executive MBA Rankings for the Americas region. Overall, Rice's MBA programs are highly regarded and offer students a rigorous and comprehensive education in business.

Job integration rate

Rice University has a strong reputation for job placement and career success for its graduates. According to the university's Career Development Office, the overall job placement rate for Rice graduates within six months of graduation is consistently above 90%, with some majors reporting placement rates as high as 100%.

Furthermore, the average starting salary for Rice graduates is above the national average, with the median starting salary for undergraduate students in the Class of 2020 being $70,000. For graduate students, the median salary for the Class of 2020 was $110,000.

Rice University's location in Houston, Texas, also provides opportunities for students to connect with and work at some of the leading companies in industries such as energy, healthcare, technology, and finance. Additionally, the university has a strong network of alumni who are leaders in various industries and who actively recruit and mentor current Rice students.