William Marsh Rice University, which is usually shortened to Rice or Rice University, is a research and private university in Houston, Texas. Its 295 acre campus is located the Houston Museum District in South Houston. Despite being small, Rice places a huge emphasis on education, and has one of the best student-faculty ratios in the United States. For its size, Rice has a very high level of research activity, and in 2011 earned $115.3 million in sponsored research funding. In 2010, Times Higher Education ranked Rice 1st in the entire world in materials science research.

History

Rice University has somewhat of an odd beginning. In 1891, Massachusetts businessman William Marsh Rice wanted to charter a free-tuition educational establishment in Houston. Rice wanted the institution to bear his name and be created after he died. Unfortunately, that happened sooner than expected, as Rice was found dead by his valet on September 23rd, 1900. It was eventually discovered that he was murdered by his lawyer who wanted to steal his money. Rice’s estate was able to direct the fortune towards the founding of Rice Institute, which opened 12 years to the day of Rice’s death. A terrific international academic festival was held three weeks later which brought Rice to the attention of the whole academic world. In 1960, Rice Institute was formally renamed William Marsh Rice University. Five years later, Rice began charging tuition. Today, Rice is one of the most highly ranked universities in the United States (ranked 17th by U.S. News).

Programs

Rice has a very well regarded School of Architecture. The graduate program has two aims: to position graduates as leaders in the architecture world and to educate prospective architects. There are three graduate programs that lead to a professional degree: a seven semester course of study for students who have no undergraduate background in the field; a five semester course of study for students who have considerable undergraduate experience in architecture; and a three semester program for students who already have a professional degree in architecture from a different university. The Rice School of Architecture also offers an undergraduate program designed to train architects who will transform the field on a global stage for the future. It is one of the oldest professional degree programs in the United States. Rice also has an excellent engineering program. The George R. Brown School of Engineering is ranked by U.S. News as the 32nd best engineering school in the United States, and the Biomedical Engineering program is ranked 9th. Engineering has been a vital part of Rice’s curriculum since it first opened. The school contains 8 academic departments and 17 research centers and institutes. 40% of graduate students and 1/3 of undergraduates are enrolled in the engineering program. There are numerous opportunities for undergraduates to get involved with research, as faculty are constantly looking for undergraduates to help them with research projects.

Pros & Cons

Rice is ranked as the 17th best university in the United States by U.S. News. Rice is located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District which is located in South Houston. Students have access to a wide variety of galleries, museums, and cultural centers dedicated to promoting the sciences, arts, and cultural amenities of the area. Students at Rice experience a dynamic student life while living in the country’s 4th largest city. Students are placed in one of the 11 residential colleges, and remain a member until they graduate (even if they move off campus). These colleges provide dining and housing options, a well as social and academic events. The 6:1 student-faculty ratio is one of the best ratios in the country (better than some Ivy League schools). The tuition is expensive at over $37 000, and residence costs around $12 000, requiring 43.1% of undergraduates to receive financial aid.